-focussed on Inter Services Athletic Championships
Guyana’s national long distance champion Cleveland Forde has decided not to participate in the 2012 University of West Indies (UWI) Half Marathon today in Trinidad and Tobago, stating that his commitment to the Guyana Defence Force track and field team was his paramount priority.
Forde and the (GDF) team will be defending their title at the Inter Services Athletics Championships (ISAC) which begins today and concludes on Friday. Forde was expected to defend his title at the UWI Half Marathon today but the ISAC team relay is also scheduled to take place today. Forde is a key member of the GDF team for the ISAC Team relay road race today and is expected to run the longest leg of the race.
When contacted by Stabroek Sport yesterday Forde said that he had been in contact with the organisers of the UWI Half Marathon and they had even sent his ticket to defend his title. Nevertheless, Forde said that it is important to him that he helps the GDF team defend its title at ISAC this year.
ISAC will be hosted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at the Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary beginning on Tuesday with preliminaries in the sprint events and a few finals in distance and field events. Apart from running the team run today, Forde is also expected to compete in the men’s 5000m, 1500m and 800m races. The 27-year-old National 1500m and 5000m record holder made an emphatic debut at ISAC last year, winning the 5000m, 1500m and 800m titles to capture to overall male champion athlete prize.
“I’m a bit disappointed about missing the UWI Half Marathon but that’s how things are sometimes and I have to stay here and help my team win. There is always next year,” Forde said. Forde has managed to keep an undefeated record in his road races so far this season. Just last week, Forde won stage one of the 10th annual IAAF CONSUDATLE South American 10km classic in Georgetown. Forde also secured wins at the Venture 5km Road Race in Trinidad and Tobago, the Courts Guyana 10km and the Ainlim 10km on the East Bank of Demerara over the last two months.
Forde will not be competing in the second and final stage of the South American 10km in Panama but will continue his campaign in other regional events such as the Run Barbados long distance series next month.
