Running Brave reign supreme at Independence track meet

The Running Brave Athletics Club (RBAC) came out on top on Sunday, as the Guyana Overseas-Based Sports Association hosted its annual Independence Track and Field Classic at the Leonora Track and Field facility, West Coast Demerara.

The track at Leonora was set alight, not only with the usual 100m, 200m and 400m sprints but with an exciting line-up of relays, featuring athletes of all ages.
CARIFTA finalist Keliza Smith achieved the sprint doubles in the women’s category, registering 11.54s and 24.04s to win the 100m and 200m events. The remainder of the podium was the same in both events, as Running Brave’s Karese Lloyd locked 12.02s and 25.56s for second, while GDF’s Tonya Rawlins clocked 12.34s and 25.78s for third.
CARIFTA medallist Naris McPherson also registered a double win, in the Under-19 400m and 800m races. McPherson stopped the clock at 57.97s in the 400, and registered 2:30.34 in the 800m race.

In the 400m, she was trailed by Tiana Springer in 1:01.71 and Shevon Younge in 1:05.02. Over in the 800m, another CARIFTA athlete in Hannah Joseph was second in 2:30.36, while Shelly-Ann Captain was third in 3:06.84.
Guyana’s premier male sprinter, Emanuel Archibald demolished the competition in the men’s 100m, clocking 10.20s for first place. Noelex Holder was second in 10.45s, while Osa Blair was third in 10.79s.
Holder went on to win the 200m event in 21.51s, while Loneil Marks and Revon Williams clocked 21.69s and 21.83s for second and third respectively.
Hopetown Flames’ Williams took the crown in the 400m event, crossing the line in 49.02s for the victory. Joshua Lam clocked 50.06s for second while Nilon Spencer was third in 50.15s.
Leslain Baird, who is making a comeback after injury, once again proved to be the best in the javelin field, throwing 71.65m for the win. Kleon Spelling was second with 62.16m, while Tremaine Beckles was third with a 58.40m throw.
CARIFTA gold medallist Anisha Gibbons won the distaff contest, with a 40.68m throw. Police’s Stacy Wilson was second with a 28.65m attempt, while Noriann King placed third with a throw reaching 23.08m.
The mixed 4x100m relay brought much excitement to the track and was won by Running Brave in 45.88s. The GDF team were second, clocking 46.37s, while Super Upcoming Runners completed the podium in 47.79s.
Of the 15 relays contested during the event, the Running Brave Club captured gold in 10 of them, resulting in them being the best performing club over the weekend. While Running Brave picked up 324 points, Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) gathered 216 points, Upper Demerara Schools amassed 146 points, and Hopetown Flames picked up 134 points. GDF rounded off the top five with 113 points.