The Athletics Association of Guyana’s (AAG) second cross country race was dominated by ace distance runner, Winston Messingher who made good of his promise before the start of the race to defend his title at Bay Rock, Linden on Sunday.
And they are off! The Under-20 runners face the trail head on in a wonderful turn out of athletesWinston Messingher successfully defended his Linden title
The annual event was well supported with participants totaling over 100 in numbers. Linden boy, Messingher was the first to complete the 7K challenge in a time of 18 minutes and 44 seconds (18m, 44sec.), ultimately winning his category of Boys Open.
Messingher finished ahead of Nathaniel Giddings and Marlon Nicholson who finished second and third respectively in that category.
Messingher, after the race said “It was a nice way to start the year,” noting that he was expected to go to Suriname and participate but opted to defend the title he won last year in the presence of his family and friends adding that “this is a title he will be looking to defend in the years to come” as overall he sets his sights on bettering his time and winning more consistently in 2017.
Meanwhile, in the Girls Open category, Ashanti Scott, as expected took the top spot, followed by Assata Eastman and Cassie Kirton who completed the top three spots in that order.
Mathew McKenzie won the Boys Under-20 category but was closely followed by Ricky Williams who had won the first Georgetown leg of the cross country and Anfernee Headliner in third.
On the other hand, Kezra Murray made light work of the pack in the Girls Under-20 division by cruising to the finish line without being seriously challenged. Collia Rowe finished second and Delicia Tinnitus third.
In the Boys Under-16, Murphy Nash copped the top spoils while Nicholas Daw and Mark Soloman completed the race in second and third respectively.
Also, Johonna Archer did not disappoint in the Girls Under-16, running away from the pack as Kissanna Glen in second and Shaquka Tyrell in third trailed.
Joel Williams was the best runner in the Boys Under-14, followed by Benel Ogle in second and Joshua Bennett in third.
Similarly, in the Girls Under-14, Aaliyah Headley was the champion runner, shadowed by Kellannie Glen and Attoya Harvey in second and third respectively.
The athletes endured off road terrain including grass, loose sand including a sand pit where they had to climb out to et back on course covering a distance of 7km.
This event was done through the kind sponsorship of National Sports Commission and Banks DIH under their Rain Forest Water and PowerAde brands.
