The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will on Sunday host one of their staple events, the South American 10K Road Race.
A look at last year’s 10K race which Winston Missigher won for the first time (Jemima Holmes Photo)
With more than 40 Guyanese athletes and an unverified number of overseas athletes expected to take to the streets on Sunday afternoon, the event promises to be one to watch.
Orin Thomas
Vice Chairman of the SA 10K Local Organising Committee (LOC), Orin Thomas, has lamented the small number of foreign athletes coming to participate. He said this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still anticipates this race being an exciting event.
“This 10K that is being hosted by the AAG has been a longstanding event, and it is unfortunate that we do not have as many participants, as many nations, involved because of the COVID issue. But we are here to make this exciting for you guys,” Thomas shared at a media briefing hosted at the AAG office on Friday morning.
He added, “I anticipate a well-organised event that we all would enjoy.”
The race is expected to commence at 15:30h (3.30pm) outside of the Earth Station on Carifesta Avenue, then head onto the Rupert Craig Highway and turn back at UG Road on the East Coast of Demerara. The athletes will race down to the Kitty Public Road, then go on to Irving Street, then to Thomas Lands and into the National Park, where they will finish at the Children’s Monument.
Competitor Cleveland Thomas was on hand to share what prizes the athletes will be vying for. “In the senior category, we’re going to be competing for US$1000; that’s the first prize. Second prize will be US$600, third prize US$400, fourth prize US$400 and fifth prize US$100,” Thomas informed.
The National Sports Commission, Powerade, Rainforest Waters, Guyana Energy, Benjamin’s Bakery and Starr Party Rentals are among the event’s sponsors.
Aside from Thomas, the likes of reigning champion Winston Missigher, Jonathan Fagundes, Rosmond Harvey and Sir Kennard Hartog are each expected to bring their ‘A’ game on Sunday.
In addition to the 10K event, two other races in the 3000m and 1500m distances will be conducted for the younger athletes. Those races will be confined to the National Park.
