Distance star Cleveland Forde and US-based Euleen-Josiah Tanner successfully defended their titles yesterday morning at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG)/Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Independence Half Marathon.
The second edition of the Half Marathon started just before Jerricks Funeral Home at Paradise, East Coast Demerara and concluded at the MCYS Main Street headquarters.
Forde, who disclosed that he was carrying an injury, clocked 1:14.37 seconds ahead of Trinidad and Tobago-based Kelvin Johnson and Lionel D’Andrade who finished second and third respectively in 1:14.43 seconds and 1:15.31 seconds in the Male Open category.
Cleveland Thomas of Running Brave Athletic Club and Police Progressive Youth Club’s (PPYC) Dennis Horatio came fourth and fifth respectively in 1:15.32 seconds and 1:18.44 seconds.
The Banks DIH-sponsored event saw Thomas, Horatio, Samuel Kaitan and Kevin Bayley setting the early pace with Thomas leading the way for first 30 minutes.
Forde and Johnson eventually moved away at Mon Repos and opened over 200m lead on Rupununi’s Kaitan who finished seventh and D’Andrade.
Courts 10k Champion, Josiah-Tanner made light work of the field in the Open Women’s segment. According to her the race was a morning training session. The 38-year old athlete, who is a mother of three, clocked 1:30.07 seconds.
Behind Josiah-Tanner was Guyana Defence Force’s Ashanti Scott (1:39.51 seconds), Abdemi Roberts (1:46.56 seconds), 2013 CARIFTA gold medalist Jevina Straker (1:52.46 seconds) who settled for fourth and Samantha Williams (2:25.49 seconds).
Suriname’s Guillermo Udenhour did not disappoint in the Masters’ 40-55 category. Udenhour who competed in the Telesur 10k last Sunday registered1:24.42 seconds ahead of Ian Archibald and Barbados-based Orin Josiah who had 1:28.25 seconds and 1:32.55 seconds.
Veteran, Llewellyn Gardner claimed the Masters’ 55 and over for the second time ahead of Maurice Fegundes and Carlton Stephenson in1:32.57 seconds, a new personal best time. Fegundes and Stephenson completed the race in 1:50.11 seconds and 2:01.24 seconds respectively.
Guyana’s sprint queen, Alicia Fortune, sprinted to a cool 02:04:16 seconds in the Women Masters. Fortune had some competition from Cyrleen Phillips who finished close behind in 2:04.49 seconds.
Meanwhile, Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Sport, said the ministry along with the AAG will be working together to organize a monthly 5k road run.
Dr. Anthony who is hoping for the next half marathon to attract more participants said plans are in the making for a marathon in November.
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry, Alfred King, in his brief comments said he would like the event to become a regional one by the year 2016. King also commended the participants and said it was an accomplishment for the athletes who completed the half marathon which comprised of 21.097km.
AAG Vice President Gavin Hope said the event was successful but disclosed that they encountered a few issues.
“Our executive is young but I believe the event was successful with the partnership of the Ministry and our sponsor Banks DIH.”
Hope said that he was happy that the ministry is a playing a vital role in the development on athletics in the distance area.
National Sports Commission Director, Neil Kumar expressed gratitude to the event sponsor and thanked the athletes and supporters for their contribution.
