After witnessing their last track meet in March, Guyanese athletes will finally get the opportunity to stretch their legs today, as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) hosts two cross country events. 
The two cross country events that are expected to race off today is being seen, by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), as the first event in the 2021 athletics calendar.
The races will run off simultaneously in Linden and New Amsterdam, beginning at 14:30hrs.
Athletes hailing from Linden, the East Bank, West Bank and West Coast of Demerara will converge at the Bayrock Community Centre Ground. On the other hand, athletes from the East Coast of Demerara, West and East Berbice will converge at the Esplanade Ground. Athletes in Georgetown will have the choice of travelling to Linden of Berbice.
With the COvid-19 pandemic in mind, the AGG President explained some of the protocols that will be taken to protect the Nation’s athletes.
“This is the beginning of a strength training for the season,” AAG President Aubrey Hutson said, in describing the event.
“All athletes entering the venue will be tested, must show up with their masks and fresh masks will be given to them at the competition of the event. For those who have to make their way back to the city, we have transportation provided for the athletes. But we’re only going to be taking on registered athletes to the Athletics Association of Guyana,” Hutson revealed.
Meanwhile, the fans have also been considered by the AGG, with the races being held at a single location. However, Hutson advised that patrons should wear a mask and practice social distancing while viewing the races.
“Most of the races will be conducted within a confined area so the fans will have access to seeing the entire race. It’s unlike the road races which will start a further distance away and then converge at the finishing line. Cross country is being conducted on flat grassy terrain and the athletes will have to now turn and twist and turn and twist to cover at least a distance of 1500M for one loop,” The AAG president explained.
This is one of three events that the AAG is hoping to pull off before the end of 2020. The AAG also has a 10K Road Race event and another cross-country event on the cards.
