Alika Morgan ended her international running season for this year on an immensely successful note with two victories at the 25th Annual Run Barbados event held last week-end in the Flying Fish island.
Morgan departed these shores last week to participate in the Run Barbados Nature Valley 10km run in which she would eventually ease to victory in the junior category just as she did for the last two years.
“I finished very strong and I felt really comfortable throughout the race.” Morgan told Stabroek Sport yesterday as she recounted her third consecutive victory at the event.
Morgan crossed the line 20th overall and as the fourth woman in the race, finishing in the time 38 minutes and 38 seconds (38:38s).
She was later informed that she was not only the first female in her category but the first female from the region to cross the line, an exceptional feat considering that there were participants from as far as Finland and Germany to as close as Guadeloupe.
After observing how comfortable she finished the 10km on Saturday, Morgan was encouraged to participate in the Scotia Bank InfoLife Half Marathon the following day. Once again Morgan took first in her age group and was the fifth female to complete the race.
The outstanding Kenyan-turned American distance sensation Janet Cheberon, who also won the 10km, won in the time of 1:17.22s as she dipped to secure victory over American Tatyana Chaluk and Wendy Nichols of the United Kingdom, while Birham Dagne also of the United Kingdom finished fourth. Morgan was once again the first woman from the Caribbean and the South American region to finish the race which she completed in one 1:27.41s which now stands as her personal best.
Morgan also confessed that she felt very comfortable in this her second half marathon as she had been training extensively for the local half marathon which had been planned for this week-end. However, there has not been any word to confirm this date as yet.
Morgan’s coach, Leslie Black has expressed much delight in his athlete’s performance throughout the year. He said he has noted progressive improvements in the timings of all the events that she contested.
Morgan has had a very successful year on the international scene where she has claimed countless regional victories including victories at the Trinidad National Juniors in June, at the Junior Carifta Games in April and at the Annual Caricom 10km where she has dominated in recent years.
She attributed her success this year to the fact that she wanted to win as many events as possible so that her selection for 2007 Junior Sports woman of the year would be certain, since she has had to face disappointment in the past by narrowly losing to worthy opponents.
Morgan expressed sincere thanks to Leslie and Avril Black for their continued support during the last five years in helping to mould her into the athlete that continues to make an impression on the regional scene.
Her coaching and management team said they would like to commend a few establishments and individuals who have stood by them and met her needs throughout the year in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph company, GTM, De Sinco Trading, Guyenterprise, Cops Security, Cummings Electrical and Walter Roberts, who personally contributed to her last trip.
Morgan said she would be training unyieldingly in the new season as she intends to capture gold medals in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m at the 2008 Junior Carifta Games.
