When the calendar flips to October, the nation’s best distance athletes look forward to the lucrative South American 10km Road Classic.
This year will be no different.
Yesterday, president of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson revealed that the event will run off on October 26.
This and other details of the annual fixture, which attracts the cream of Guyana’s, South America’s and the Caribbean’s road runners, were unveiled yesterday during the official launch of the race at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) building.
Hutson told the media that a championship trophy and US$1000 will be awarded to the top senior finishers in the men and women’s categories.
The first, second, third and fourth runners-up will pocket $US600, $400, $US300 and US$200 along with trophies respectively.
Junior athletes (16-20 years) as well as Masters (Women 35+), Men (40-55) and (56 and above) will also take home trophies and cash prizes.
The top four juniors will receive vouchers or grants valued at US$100, US$75, US$50 and US$25 while the top four Masters (Women 35+), and Men (40-55) will run off with GY$20,000 GY$12,000 and GY$8,000 respectively.
Masters (56 and above) top three finishers will collect G$15,000, G$1,000 and G$5, 000 in that order.
The event will commence at 15:30hrs on Carifesta Avenue (in front of GT&T), proceed to the University of Guyana and return to the National Park for the conclusion. Entries ($1000 Open), ($500 Junior and Masters) for the race closes on October 17 at the GOA building.
Hutson disclosed that the association has extended invitations to runners as far as Mexico and Panama along with Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname and will be writing to their respective embassies as well.
As customary, he also encouraged athletic enthusiasts to “Come out and support our athletes on and give them that sense of accomplishment at the end of this race.”
The AAG head added that the association is “Encouraging the casual runners, the part-time runners, the joggers in the park, the joggers on the seawall to come out and be a part of this as well because we feel that fitness and being an athlete is part of your health, come and be a part of a great event.”
Athletes will not have to worry about traffic issue because, according to Hutson, the entire route will be on traffic lock down.
When quizzed on medical services, he stated that the athletes will have the Guyana Defence Force ambulances at their disposal.
Distance dynamo, Cleveland Forde has dominated the event, crossing the finish line first on every occasion since 2008. (Emmerson Campbell)
