The track and field segment of the ‘Golden Jubilee Independence’ day of sports scheduled for May 22 will be staged at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC) instead of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground due to the prevailing inclement weather.
The 5k and the 10km events however, will still be staged in the city at 6am as was previously advertised.
For the 5km race (for athletes 14-16 years), the runners will start on Carifesta Avenue opposite the National Park. Proceed into the National Park, exit onto Albert Street, proceed west into Camp Street, then north onto the Seawall road and return to the point of origin.
The 10km (open) event will start at Carifesta Avenue /Camp Road junction, proceed north along Camp Road to Seawall Road, continue east along the seawall up to the East Coast Highway up to UG road. The runners will then turn around at UG road, proceed west to the Kitty Public road, then return to Carifesta Avenue for the finish in front of GNS Complex.
Five hours later, the youth, junior and senior track and field athletes will swing into action at Leonora at the Track and Field Centre. They will compete in the 4x100m, the 4x400m relay races along with the 100m, 200m, 800m and 1500m and long jump events.
Sixty and 80m events will also be contested for athletes 12 and under. While the top three finishers in the under 16 and U-20 events will take home bicycles, the top five seniors will pocket $40,000, $30,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively. The top three Master’s male and female finishers will be rewarded with cash prizes of $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 in that order.
Admission is free.