By Treiston Joseph
Alika Morgan and Lionel D’Andrade ran away with the monetary prizes and individual trophies when winning their separate categories of the 30th edition of the Telesur 10K road race sponsored by TeleG Phone Company in Paramaribo, Suriname last Sunday.
Coming off a recent 10k win in Antigua two weeks ago, D’Andrade, who is based in Trinidad, turned in a time of 33:50 to break the previous meet record of 34:06 and claim victory over Syveryo Simison and Croles Maubo who placed second and third with times of 34:02 and 36:08 respectively.
“I wasn’t feeling well since the Friday before the race, I had some stomach aches probably from something I ate, so I didn’t push myself in no way,” D’ Andrade told Stabroek Sport.
“The competition was good up to the 7km mark but from then I took over the race to win it,” he added.
The win marks his fifth successive road victory for the season and D’Andrade says that his only focus will be on road events.
“I want to do a marathon this year either in Chicago or Surname but for now I’m done with track. My focus is only on 5k’s 10k’s and marathons,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Morgan clad in her GT&T running gear, raced to a meet record of 41:01 breaking the previous record of 41:47.
Llsida Toemere placed second while Jana Dickman was third with times of 41:42 and 48:01 respectively.
“I was preparing for track and not road events, I ran on the course already and had faster times but the conditions and organizing of the event was good.
“The competition wasn’t stiff, I was looking forward for better competition but unfortunately I didn’t get it,” the distance queen told Stabroek Sport yesterday.
When asked about her future plans for the season Morgan stated “well I’m looking forward for the 2012 Olympics, my love for the sport is still there and I’m trying to hold on to the talent I have, it’s something that will never go away,” she commented.
While longstanding coach of both athletes, Leslie Black expressed his contentment with their performances, he was a bit peeved with GT&T with regards to sponsorship for Morgan but refused to share any details on the matter with Stabroek Sport.
D’Andrade will contest two other road events later this month in Trinidad while Morgan will set her sights on bringing down her timings for the remainder of the year.
