The cream of the nation’s distance athletes along with their South American and Caribbean counterparts will put their talents on display on November 20 in the second leg of the IAAF South American 10km Classic.
These and other details were disclosed during the launch of the event yesterday at Olympic House.
As customary, the event will commence at 15:00hrs on Carifesta Avenue (in front of GT&T), proceed to the University of Guyana and return to the National Park for the conclusion.
It was disclosed that athletes from several countries are expected, including those from Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Peru, Grenada, and St Vincent.
Peruvian Yerson Orellana and Trinidadian Tonya Nero will once again be gunning for the winner’s spoils.
First leg winner in Suriname on October 30, distance dynamo, Cleveland Forde, will be the one to watch in the men’s division before the annual three-leg event concludes a week later in Panama.
Along with Orellana, Forde will face opposition Cleveland Thomas, the fast rising, Winston Missigher and others while US based Euleen Josiah- Tanner who won the Court’s 10K last month, will be challenged Nero, Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal and local standouts, Andrea Foster and Alika Morgan.
As customary, US$1000 will be awarded to the top senior finishers in the men and women’s categories. As an added incentive, the winner of these races will also receive a medal made of Guyana’s famous gold.
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. Beverage giant, Banks DIH Limited and leading fitness retailer, Fitness Express have already thrown support behind the fixture. (Emmerson Campbell)
