Nineteen-year old Devin Barrington completed an emphatic come-from-behind victory to stun seasoned long distance campaigner Cleveland Thomas and win the Open category of the Inaugural Super Mile yesterday morning at the National Park.
Barrington, a former North Georgetown District 11 star athlete clocked four minutes 39.13 seconds (4: 39.13) to narrowly win the event ahead of fellow Running Brave athlete Thomas (4:39.56). Barrington had been trailing for the entire last half of the race but managed to dig deep and find enough energy for a final burst of speed. During the final 20m, Barrington did just enough to overcome the 10m lead held by Thomas and edge him at the line. Completing the Running Brave sweep of the first three places in the male open category was Winston Missinger, who clocked 4:53.16 for third place.
Following the race, Barrington told Stabroek Sport that he was pleased with his performance especially since it was not his original plan to compete in the open category. In fact, Barrington had begun warming up and even walking to the starting line to begin the junior category of the race until his coaches Sham Johnny and Julian Edmonds encouraged him to compete in the Open category.
Barrington seemed to have reluctantly changed his registration, but said that he was thankful to his coaches in the end since he was very pleased with his performance. Five-time CARIFTA medallist Alika Morgan comfortably won the female category of the race in 5:34.23, ahead of two-time CARIFTA 1500m gold medallist Jevina Straker who clocked 5:36.96s. Progressive Youth Club’s Tracy Moses gave a determined effort to secure third place in 6:25.64.
Retired CARIFTA middle distance star Lorrie Ann Adams won the Masters category ahead of Donna Ferguson and Shondell Scott respectively. Adams, the 1988 CARIFTA 1500 and 800m gold medallist was also awarded a prize for being the oldest female athlete to take part while Maurice Fagundes was the oldest male athlete in action. Surinamese athlete Juilleen Udenhout defeated Llewellyn Gardener and Linden Harrison to win the male masters category.
Kevon Parks won the junior category, while recovering quarter miler Arinze Chance secured a surprising second place finish. Shomane Daniels, defeated Aleta Moore to win the girls’ junior category. Adrian Foster and Andrea Foster dominate the girls and boys Under 16 category respectively. Andre, Andrea and Adrian Foster won the prizes awarded by the Beterverwagting National Democratic Council.
The event, which was organised by Alisha Fortune and Caroline Forde, attracted over 50 participants. President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Colin Boyce commended Fortune and her organising committee on the initiative and pledged his support in the future. Boyce also said that he hopes the AAG can collaborate with Fortune to expand the event so that it will be a permanent fixture of the AAG’s calendar of events.
Sponsors of the event included Ansa McAl, Najab Trading, Gizmos and Gadgets, Geddes Grants Limited, Farfan and Mendes, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Merriman’s Funeral Home.
