Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Morgan snatches fourth consecutive CARICOM 10k title in Antigua
Johnson finishes fourth as Ballantyne retains male crown
By Sean Devers
Seventeen-year-old Guyanese distance runner Alika Morgan continued her dominance in the annual CARICOM 10k race by running away with her fourth consecutive victory in the women’s division yesterday morning in Antigua.
Morgan, the female champion since the inaugural event in St Lucia in 2005, succeeded in retaining her title but ran slower than she did last year in Barbados when she clocked 38:20:02.
Kelvin Johnson was the other Guyanese in the race and finished in the fourth position in the Male division which was once again won by defending champion Pamenos Ballantyne of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Morgan was hoping to become the new Guyana female 10k record holder by breaking the 37:02:20 set by Abidemi Charles in the USA five years ago but struggled for her best form and finished the race in just over 39 minutes.
Morgan’s Trainer Leslie Black disclosed that the race was competed on a ‘tough course’ which challenged the athletes. He disclosed that the three-person Guyana contingent which includes Manager Avril Black is expected home on Wednesday after Morgan is honoured for her victory on Tuesday during the opening of the 29th Conference of CARICOM heads in Antigua.
Morgan appeared to lack endurance towards the end of her last major meet during the Hampton Games in Trinidad last month but Black said that the talented young lady was well prepared for yesterday’s clash since endurance work was also a part of her recent training.
Morgan, who has been running competitively since she was 12, had to ‘ease down’ on her training recently to allow her time on concentrate on her CXC exams and this might have affected her preparations for her CARICOM 10k title defence.
The Rising Star Club member also did ‘speed work’ during her recent training and Blacks said she looked in good form when she helped her club win the Olympic day team race in Georgetown two Sundays ago.
Black is also the trainer of Johnson who also finished in the fourth spot in last year’s race in Barbados.
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