Kenya’s Alex Ekesa and Trinidad’s Samantha Shukla brought their talents to Guyana and outran the opposition on Sunday to claim the marquee titles for this year’s South American 10k Classic.
Ekesa claimed the men’s senior title while Shukla ran off with the senior women’s first place trophy for the event which was staged from CARIFESTA Avenue to UG Road to the Police Progressive Youth Club ground at Eve Leary. Ekesa stopped the clock in 33:09.08s to lead Marlon Nicholson and Keron Ali of Trinidad onto the podium. Suriname’s Janiek Pomba and Guyana’s Royston Fordyce filled out the top five positions. Shukla led Linda McDowall of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenadian, Kenisha Pascal into the top three.
Local pair, Telicia Wright and Tamar Charles completed the top five spots. For their heroics, Ekesa and Shukla pocketed for the $US1000 first prize and other incentives.
The first, second, third and fourth runners up, pocketed $US600, $400, $US300 and US$200 along with trophies respectively. Meanwhile, Odida Parkinson and Tallesha James won the junior male and female categories of the 10k event. Junior athletes (16-20 years) as well as Masters (Women 35+), Men (40-55) and (56 and above) also took home trophies and cash prizes.
