In his second track event in a 10-day span, national 5000m record holder Cleveland Forde once again dominated the field, lapping every competitor to make a commanding statement on day one of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Inter Unit Athletic Championship at the GDF ground Camp Ayanganna.
In the scorching heat of 11am sun, Forde set a blistering pace which no one in the field could maintain after the first few laps. Forde, who represented Defence Headquarters, clocked 15 minutes 19.8seconds (15:19.8s), while seasoned campaigner Tyshon Bentick of 1 Infantry was lapped once and clocked 17:25.1s. Jamal Chisholm was lapped twice and finished third in 18:22.1, while Akeem Nicholas was lapped four times and finished fourth in 19:53s.
Earlier this month, Forde won a 10,000m on the track and lapped the entire field including former national under-23 champion and Inter Services rival Dennis Horatio. The national long distance champion said that he was pleased with his victory and the time that he won the race in because it was close to what he expected.
“I think the win was good and the time was just about what I expected. I was expected like 15:13, 15:16 or just about that so 15:19 is not too far off that,” Forde said.
The 27-yearold three-time CARIFTA 5000m champion will be competing at Venture 5km race in Trinidad and Tobago this weekend and had previously told Stabroek Sport that he wanted to use the 5000m at GDF as a tune-up. For that event, Forde said that his original plan was to execute a tactical race, strategizing and giving just enough to comfortably win the event.
However, Forde said that the event record is just under 15 minutes and that is very tempting especially since his personal best over that distance in 14:07:08
After completing that resounding 5000m win, Forde now turns his attention to the 1500m final and 800m heat which will take place today at the same venue.
Forde, who also holds the national 1500m record (3:44.23), said that he is focussed on retaining his 1500m title in similar fashion today. The 2006 South American Under 23 said that he will not be pushing too hard for a fast time in the 1500m as he does not overexert. Once he qualifies as expected, Forde will close off his performance in this year’s Inter Unit championships by competing in the 800m on Friday.
Forde is the defending 800m, 1500m and 5000m champion at the Inter Unit and the Inter Services Athletic Championship level.
