National middle distance runner, Winston Missigher said he’s banking on all his experience to help him win the 7th annual 10km road race title, adding that a win will help prepare him for the South American 10k.
Missigher told Guyana Times Sport on the eve of the race, that his recent journey was rocky following his recent injury but he’s pumped up heading into today’s big race which starts at 06:00h in front of Courts’ Main Street, Georgetown branch.
“It was a tough journey for me, I ended up with an injury with my leg and it forced me to drop out of my last race in Trinidad. My foot is doing well now, but i didn’t put in much work after so right now I’m giving God praise and thanks and hoping that everything works out,” said Missigher.
Male 10k champ Cleveland Forde will look to beat off competitors to retain his titles today
With a bevy of senior athletes on display, most notably defending champ Cleveland Forde Missigher said he was more than certain that this year’s event will be as tough as ever, adding that he’s backing himself to do well despite still recovering.
“It’s going to be stiff competition on Sunday but as I said my foot is feeling good, I had to pack four days into one in order to condition myself, but I’m going to run off my experience and the condition I had before I got injured,” the Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara resident said.
Speaking on what’s next following the 10km race, the veteran runner declared that sights are set on the South American 10k but stated how important it was for him to enter that situation, winner of the Courts 10k.
Winston Missigher said he’s looking to go all out toady
“Next is the South American 10k first leg in Suriname, then the 2nd leg in Guyana and the last leg in Panama. I’m hoping to do well and compete in all three legs, because if I win it’s a big achievement for me.”
In terms of today’s race, Missigher said “I’ve been placing 2nd and 3rd for the past few years, so winning will be a big achievement and it will give me a boost cause (Forde) has been winning for the past four or five years.”
Meanwhile, Courts, on Friday launched the event which is considered one of the most premier athletic events in the country. Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President Aubrey Hudson and Courts Pernell Cummings sealed the deal with the handing over of the sponsorship check.
Both parties also expressed their delight in working together again, earmarking the event as an important one for athletes, while urging competitors to challenge current male and female champs; Forde and Euleen Josiah-Tanner, both of who have been dominating the competition over the years.
Staff members of the company will compete in a 3K race as youths will take part in a Golden mile run. Both events will run off concurrently with cash prizes and trophies among other awards being bestowed upon the winners.
Meanwhile, prizes for the Male and Female Open categories fetch a purse of $100,000 with cash prizes of; $75,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 will also be up for grabs.
