Parkinson, Harvey bag silver at Caricom 10K

The Gros Islet in Saint Lucia set the perfect backdrop for a scenic and competitive staging of the 19th Caricom 10K Road Run/Walk on Sunday, as two young Guyanese athletes claimed spots on the podium.
Jamaica dominated the top position in the Overall Male category (Elite 10K Male) with Garfield Gordon winning the Caricom Chairman’s Trophy, while Guyana’s Odida Parkinson and Kamar Thomas of Antigua and Barbuda captured the second and third-place prizes, respectively.
On the distaff side, Barbados’s Carlie Robinson claimed the Caricom Secretary-General’s Trophy – Female and first prize in the Overall Female category (Elite 10K Female), while Guyana’s Attoya Harvey and Alexia John of Trinidad and Tobago stopped the clock for silver and bronze, respectively.

More than 250 professional athletes, amateur competitors, and recreational runners representing 15 countries and territories took part in the event.
The Road Run/Walk forms part of the pre-event activities of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, scheduled for July 5-8 in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia under the chairmanship of Philip J Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and Caricom Chair.
Ahead of the award presentation, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation, Kenson Casimir, delivered remarks on behalf of PM Pierre. He emphasised the significance of the Road Run/Walk to Caricom unity.
“This run/walk is more than a race. It is a celebration of health, discipline, unity, community spirit, and Caribbean friendship. It reminds us that Caricom is not only about the meetings of Heads of Government, the policy discussions, and regional decisions. Caricom is about people. It’s also about athletes, our families, and young people. It’s about our communities and the shared Caribbean identity that connects us across borders. Today, every participant has contributed to that spirit. You are part of something meaningful. You have helped demonstrate the strength, energy, and togetherness of our Caribbean Community,” the Minister shared.
The Road Run/Walk, according to Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett, reflects Caricom’s commitment to tackling the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by advocating for active lifestyles and healthy nutrition.
Barnett expressed, “Across our Community, we have a very high incidence of non-communicable diseases, and we know that healthier lifestyles make it easier for us to manage these conditions and to prevent them. Our numbers are on the high side in terms of the incidence of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. I encourage everyone in the Community to continue to be active, to exercise and to live active lifestyles.”
Minister Casimir presented the Caricom Chairman’s Trophy and other top prizes while Dr Barnett presented the Secretary General’s trophy. Also present at Sunday’s event were Caricom’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis; Assistant Secretary General (Human and Social Development) Alison Drayton; Assistant Secretary General (Foreign and Community Relations) Elizabeth Solomon; Assistant Secretary General (Economic Integration, Innovation and Development) Dr Wendell Samuel, and other Caricom and Government officials.