Trinidad and Tobago’s Curtis Cox romped to the final leg of the South American 10K Classic in Guyana on Sunday afternoon, ahead of the Guyanese contingent.
A smaller turnout of runners than expected when compared to previous years, did not stop the race from attracting a huge crowd from the first whistle which signalled the start of the race along Carifesta Avenue in perfect running conditions.
Cox stopped the clock in a cool 32 minutes 48 seconds (32m48s), well ahead of Guyanese duo, Cleveland Thomas (33m24s) and Winston Missigher (33m48s) who copped second and third respectively. Trinidad’s Matthew Hagley (33m58s) and Guyana’s Omesto Thomas (34m29s) completed the top five in that order.
Winners of the Guyana leg, South American 10k display their silverware (Marceano Narine Photo)
However, it was not smooth sailing for Cox as he was forced to run with the second breakaway group as the Guyanese top three raced ahead until the halfway mark, which they crossed around the 12th minute mark. Cox would capitalise on a tired trio at the 7K mark and made good of his opportunity to accelerate, taking the lead in emphatic fashion.
Cox led the race from the 7K point, along the Kitty Public Road all the way onto Vlissingen Road and into Thomas Lands before entering the National Park and finishing at the Rights of the Child Monument.
Meanwhile, Tonya Nero, also of Trinidad and Tobago dominated the female category almost seven minutes better than second placed Ashanti Scott of Guyana. Nero finished the course in a time of 36m14s, while Scott came in at 43m15s. Canadian distance runner, Caroline MacIsaac completed the podium position with a time of 47m17s comfortably ahead of Guyana’s pair, Alicia Jack (49m10s) and Cassie Kirton (50m38s).
In the Junior female category Delicia Tinnis won first prize while Odwin Tudor won in the male division, ahead of Matthew McKenzie.
Also, Alex Hartog and Tonya Smith won the male and female 1500 meters race respectively, while Kennard Hartog, Joshua Beveney and Brandon Sim finished 1-2-3 in the 3000m males and Alliyah Headley, Brittney Small and Marissa Thomas finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
