Cleveland Forde’s stranglehold on the Massy Group of Companies 10km road race remains intact.
For the fifth consecutive time yesterday, the ‘Little Kenyan’ bested his road race rivals and topped the podium to pocket the spoils of the calendar event.
Forde clocked 33 minutes and 15 seconds in the sixth annual fixture which started at Vreed-en-Hoop, crossed the Demerara Harbour Bridge and concluded at the company’s headquarters at Ruimveldt.
His victory which was some five seconds better than his winning time last year, was easy as a Sunday morning stroll.
In the race which produced little drama, Guyana’s premier distance athlete finished 43 seconds ahead of Cleveland Thomas (33m: 58s), the Running Brave Athletic Club standout having to settle for his second silver medal in as many years.
The trio of Winston Messengher (34m: 38s), Nathaniel Giddings (35m:17s) and Devon Barrington (35m:27s) rounded out the top five.
“Consistency in training is what enables me to be consistent in races” Forde said in a post-race interview. The ‘Little Kenyan’ also noted that he felt great in the race which was used as a dress rehearsal for the South American 10k series which starts next month in Suriname.
In the opening kilometers yesterday, Forde was joined by Odwin Tudor (2nd junior), Thomas, Giddings, Barrington and Tyshon Bentick.
At about 200m on the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Forde attacked Thomas and the others and that was the beginning of the end.
“We were together in the race until I made my move with about four kilometres to go. No one responded but I kept going anyway,” said Forde.
On the women’s side, Alika Morgan came home in 42 minutes and 48 seconds, followed by Andrea Foster (43m: 52s) and Alicia Jacks (44m: 18s).
Last year’s winner, Euleen Josiah-Tanner who resides in the USA did not compete yesterday.
Matthew McKenzie (35m: 32s) placed first in the junior male division while Samuel Lynch was third in 40 minutes and 43 seconds. Tudor was 11 seconds off McKenzie time.
Shontell Hinds (45m: 23s), Mariah McKenzie (45m: 54s) and Yolit Charles (50m: 22s) emerged as the top three junior females.
Other winner’s included Cyrleen Phillips (Masters Women, 35 and Over), Larry Josiah (Masters Men, 40 and Over) and Llewelyn Gardner (Master Men, 56 and Over).
President of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson said he was “heartened by the response of the athletes and the employees who took part in the fitness walk.” Hutson also congratulated the company and the competitors for an incident free day.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Chairman of conglomerate, Deo Persaud. (Emmerson Campbell)
