The local organizing committee (LOC) for this year’s CARICOM 10K road race has confirmed that all systems are in place for the June 28 event.
This is the first time that the Land of Many Waters will be staging the event which is being held in recognition of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in July.
President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Colin Boyce said that as far as the competition is concerned, everything has already been put in place and they are now awaiting the arrival of athletes from around the Caribbean.
When the race was held in Antigua last year, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ prominent distance runner Pamenos Ballentyne won the male category in 31 minutes and 41 seconds with Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Jones second and Guyana’s Kelvin Johnson fourth.
Guyana’s 2008 Sportswoman of the Year Alika Morgan clocked 39 minutes and seven seconds to win her third CARICOM title in front of Trinidad and Tobago’s Christine Regis.
Boyce said that both Ballentyne and Morgan have indicated they would be defending their titles. He stated, however, that the race is open to not only athletes but anyone who feels that they could do the 10K run.
Registration for the race is free and could be done at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the closing date is June 24.
The race will start in front of the CARICOM Secretariat at Liliendaal and proceed east on the railway embankment road to Ogle and then turn north onto the East Coast highway and head west to Carifesta Avenue.
The athletes will then head south onto Camp Street and make their way into the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary for the finish.
The AAG president is warning all cyclists and motorists who customarily follow the race that this time around stringent measures will be in place to prevent them from doing so.
John Campbell, CARICOM Secretariat’s Deputy Programme Manager, Sport Development said that this year’s event should be just as successful as any other since as the years go by the times are being lowered. The organizers are hoping that the 31-minute record could be broken this year.
He said that as far as the athletes are concerned it is mandatory that every member country of CARICOM send two athletes, male and female to compete.
Head of the LOC, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Frank Anthony told reporters at yesterday’s press conference that all the logistical arrangements have been worked out and like the previous years, the event will take on the format of encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle.
When the event was held in Antigua last year participants ran under the theme “Run for life. Exercise your right” and Dr. Anthony said that this time around it would be no different.
“We want to make this event as big as any other in the region so we want everyone to come out and support. This is not just about athletes from around the Caribbean coming together to compete against each other but it is also where we plan on sensitizing the entire Caribbean about living healthy,” added Minister Anthony.
It was said that President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to join the athletes for the start of the race. The National Communications Network (NCN) will be televising the event live via radio and television.
Prizes will only be awarded to the athletes who compete in the international category with both male and female champions taking home US$1,200, second place US$800 and third place US$500. A special prize will also be handed to the oldest person who completes the run.
