The inaugural Neal and Massy Guyana 10km road race and 5km jog were launched yesterday at the Neal and Massy Staff Facilities with a call to Guyanese to participate in the event in an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Deo Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of the Neal and Massy Guyana Group, said to the gathering of athletic officials and staff, that his organization has an interest in promoting health and wellness through community activities and Sunday’s event was one such initiative.

“For the company’s anniversary this year we are promoting health and wellness and we are happy to be associated with the race,” Persaud said.

He called on Guyanese of all walks of life to participate especially in the 5km jog which will be a key component of the event.

According to Persaud, the group has been very supportive of sports in Guyana over the years and for this month, the anniversary month of the organization; the theme will be health and wellness.

He said once the event was properly organized it would become an annual feature of the group.

President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Colin Boyce, thanked Neal and Massy for the interest shown in track and field and noted that athletes are now benefiting from financial gains through prizes that are on offer at such events.

“The AAG is extremely grateful for the gesture. The Neal and Massy 10km race has great potential. I am hoping in the future to invite athletes from the Caribbean to participate,” he added.

Boyce said CAC bronze medalist Cleveland Forde, who attended the launch and top female distance runner Alika Morgan, are expected to lead the challenge in the men’s and women’s Open categories respectively.

He said the registration deadline has been extended to tomorrow and that interested persons can register at the GOA office on High Street, Kingston.

Persaud presented a symbolic cheque valued at $735,000 to Boyce as the group’s contribution to the event.

The 10km race will start in front of AINLIM head office at Ruimveldt and will proceed to Providence on the East Bank Demerara Highway before returning to AIMLIM for the finish.

The 5km jog will get cracking in front on Sterling Products head office at Providence and end at AINLIM.

The winners in the men’s and women’s open categories will each receive $50,000 and trophies. There are also attractive monetary prizes for second, third and fourth place finishers as well as the top three in the men’s and women’s masters division.

Also in attendance at the launch were AINLIM Chief Executive Officer, Lakeram Shivraj, Technical Director of the race, Mark Scott and senior executives of Neal and Massy and the AAG.