Crawford bags gold in 40km road race -Schools cycling c/ships

Among the star studded field of Guyana’s best junior wheelsmen, Romello Crawford was the one that shone the brightest.

The Corentyne Comprehensive High School student, out pedaled his 29 rivals to earn the gold medal for the 40km road race when the 54th edition of the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships got under way yesterday.

Crawford showed tenacity and grit throughout the windy trek then displayed his sprinting ability on thehome straight by surging ahead of Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani’s Michael Anthony (2nd) and Mario King (3rd) of East Georgetown.

Much to the displeasure of the media, the officials at the line were unable to give an accurate timing for the event which pedaled off at Ocean View Hotel, proceeded to Belfield and returned to the hotel.

For the females, Toshwanna Doris of North Georgetown won the 25km event from Ocean View to Strathspey and back in 50 minutes and 39 seconds.

Doris led Ronella Samuels of East Coast Demerara and Corentyne’s Whitney Poyer on to the podium.

The organizers who promised changes for next year’s championships, should consider staging the event in the inner circuit of the National Park upon the completion of the 10km event. This would allow the races to start earlier in the day and it will also prove safer for the cyclists who had to manoeuvre through traffic on the busy East Coast highway.

There was also the male and female 10km events along with swimming yesterday. The championship will continue today at the GDF ground Base Camp Ayanganna. (Emmerson Campbell)