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Forde crushes strong field to win IAAF South American 10K
The respective winners Cleveland Forde (left) and Antonia Silva pose with Brazilian Helio Gesta de Melo (right), who helped facilitate the organization of the event.
Brazilian Antonia Silva retains title
By Rawle Welch
Guyanese Cleveland Forde in a time of 32 minutes 44.7 seconds out-sprinted nemesis Pamenos Ballentyne (32:53.00) of St. Vincent & the Grenadines over the final 300 metres to win the second leg of the IAAF South American 10K Road Race yesterday, at the Police Sports Club ground.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Jones finished third in a time of 33:02.1 seconds, while Gustavo Perreira in 33:12.1 seconds ended fourth and Guyana’s Lionel D’ Andrade returned 33:28.9 seconds to close out the top five positions.
In the Women’s segment, Brazilian Antonia Silva successfully defended her crown with an easy win in 38:02.70 seconds to beat into second place Guyanese Alika Morgan (39:00.07) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kerticha John 43:04.49 ended third.
Ashanti Scott in a time of 43:11.10 occupied the fourth spot, while Christine Regis (43:29.07) of T&T ended fifth.
The win by Forde means that he has now captured both legs of the Triple Crown and has now placed himself in a firm position to complete the treble should the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) decide to send athletes for the first time to the final stage slated for Panama on a date to be announced later.
The race, which saw over 100 athletes take the starter’s orders, was run at a slow pace on the upward leg with the top runners tightly bunched, before they headed for home after turning back at Conversation Tree.
A pack of seven athletes that included Forde, Ballentyne, Jones, Curtis Cox of T&T, Kelvin Johnson, Perreira and D’Andrade battled each other for the lead and by the second water station located just by the GuyOil Gas Station, Perreira, Forde and Ballentyne had established a slim lead of around 20 metres and slowly increased their advantage.
When the runners approached Camp Ayanganna and proceeded along Thomas Road, it became evident that the three would be the main contenders with Ballentyne, the most decorated Caribbean distance athlete looking extremely strong and Forde content to do the marking.
The two opened a slight advantage on Brazilian Perreira as the pace quickened and by the time they approached Eve Leary, it was a two-man race with Ballentyne holding a slight lead over Forde.
However, when the two entered the ground, Forde urged on by the partisan local supporters produced a tremendous burst of speed that left the Vincentian in his wake and went on to win comfortably by about 80 metres with Jones a distant third.
The female race saw another effortless performance from Silva, who though closely marked by Morgan for a major part of journey pulled away to win handsomely.
Trinidadian John ran consistently, but never threatened the front two and settled for the final podium spot.
Speaking after his victory, Forde said that he felt a little tired during the race, but was never under any pressure and always felt confident of winning. The ‘Little Kenyan’ as he is familiarly known disclosed that he still feels he has a bright future ahead of him and thinks London 2012 Olympics is a real possibility.
“I’m definitely looking forward to making either the A or B class qualifying time in the 1500 metres so I’m hoping that the AAG present me with the opportunity to run frequently at a high level.” Responding to the question as to whether his back to back victories has placed the AAG under immense pressure to send a contingent to the Panama leg, Forde said he was not certain if his performances would make a difference.
“Things do not go the way you want it to all the time, but I’m going to stay positive and prepare for any eventuality.” Meanwhile, up to press time results of the other categories were not available.
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