More than a hundred of the nation’s long distance athletes have already registered to compete in the local leg of the South American 10km road race scheduled for Sunday.
That number could significantly increase on race day as the event continues to gather steam from the competition-starved athletes who will have the added incentive of pocketing lucrative cash prizes.
Yesterday, President of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson disclosed that the prize money for the 19th annual fixture has increased from last year even though there is less than the usual number of sponsors, a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The top finishers will be rewarded with tidy sums.
US$1,000 will be awarded to the top senior finishers in the men and women’s categories. As an added incentive, the winner of these races will also receive a medal made from Guyana’s famous gold.
The first, second, third, and fourth runners-up will pocket $US600, US$400, $US300 and US$200 respectively along with trophies.
Junior athletes (16-20 years), as well as Masters (women 35 and over, men 40-55 and 56 and above) will also take home trophies and cash prizes.
The top four juniors will receive vouchers or grants valued at US$100, US$75, US$50 and US$25 while the top four Masters will run off with G$20,000 G$12,000 and G$8,000 respectively. Masters (56 and above) top three finishers will collect G$15,000, G$10,000 and G$5,000 in that order.
Notes: The South American 10km Classic Road Race will take place in two days beginning at 3:30p.m from the GTT Earth Station CARIFESTA Avenue to finish inside the National Park, Children’s Monument. The event will be governed by the rules of World Athletics.
