Non-traditional events to be reintroduced

─ National Seniors Athletics Championships launched

With Guyanese Junior athletes competing and medalling in non-traditional events such as the 110 Metre hurdles at the recently concluded South American Junior Championships, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will be reintroducing the Steeplechase, Hurdles and Hammer throw events when the National Senior Championships is held from July 2-3 at the Leonora National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara.
This was revealed at the launch of the event on Thursday morning by the president of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson.

“We are going to have this year, the steeplechase, and hurdles as well as the hammer throw events,” Hutson declared.
The AAG president disclosed that as was the case last year, a total cash prize of $20,000 will be at stake in each event. This is breaks down to the winner receiving $10,000 while second and third place finishers are guaranteed $6,000 and $4,000 respectively.
Hutson explained that with the AAG’s hosting of the South American Youth Championships, its financial coffers have been heavily hit. As a result the Association will be doubling the upcoming event with a fundraising barbecue. Any patron purchasing a barbecue ticket for $1000 will be afforded entry to the event while regular tickets will cost $500.
The AAG President is confident of a large turnout of spectators at the National Senior Championship which he claims will be a byproduct of the successful staging of the South American Youth Championship last month.
At the championship the host nation’s athletes placed 2nd out of 13 participating countries while amassing 25 medals.
The haul remains the highest number of medals achieved by Guyana in the 49- year history of the championship. The stellar performance came on the heels Guyana’s good showing at the CARIFTA Games in Curacao where 11 medals were won inclusive of which 5 golds