By Michelangelo Jacobus
In overcast conditions, the 61st Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) National Schools Cycling, Swimming, and Track & Field Championships officially opened yesterday afternoon at the National Track & Field Centre at Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara.
Despite the grey skies, the excitement and enthusiasm of the student athletes shone through, more so in the home district when their star distance athlete, Odida Parkinson, entered the facility to District 3’s (West Demerara) raucous applause.
Parkinson won the Boys 10K Road Race without competition in sight, crossing the finish line unchallenged. He stopped the clock at 36 minutes, 58.56 seconds, while David Bovell of District 5 was a distant second with 37 minutes, 27.90 seconds. Closing out the podium was District 6’s Solomon Lowenfield (31:21.50). On the distaff race, Vanytta Francis of District 9 took the gold in 46 minutes, 51.96 seconds, to the delight of her on-looking teammates. District 10’s Royanna Hermonstine was some distance behind for her silver, stopping the clock at 49 minutes, 09.51 seconds, while Sheleima Alberts (District 2) copped bronze in 53 minutes, 35.50 seconds, to get her district up and running in terms of points.