7th South American 10K officially launched

Oct 17, 2009 Sports

– Only two countries confirmed so far

Members of the Head Table at yesterday’s launching of the first leg of the South American 10K Classic, (From left)- Dick Ifill, Cornel Rose, Shirley Hooper and Mark Scott.

By Rawle Welch
Despite having received confirmation from only two countries so far and the deadline for overseas entries scheduled to close at midnight tonight, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is optimistic that the usual participants will arrive in time for the race.
Speaking at the official launching of the first leg of the 7th South American 10K Road Race at Olympic House yesterday, Vice-President of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) Shirley Hooper told the media that come race day on October 25, the Committee was confident that a quality field will face the starter’s orders and fans could look forward to a keen and exciting duel between the locals and foreign opposition.
According to Hooper confirmation has been received from Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago with the former sending a contingent of five made up of four athletes and an official, while the latter’s composition includes five athletes and one official.
No word as yet has been received from Brazil, St. Vincent & the Grenadines or Grenada, who’ve all been sent invitations according to a member of the LOC.
Also present at the launching were LOC members Cornel Rose, Mark Scott and Dick Ifill, who all briefed the media on their roles.
Hooper added that the race has had to be reverted back to the old route which saw the runners move off from in front of the YMCA on Thomas Road proceed along Carifesta Avenue continue along the Rupert Craig Highway into Clive Lloyd Drive and finish at the starting point.
This decision to return to the former route was made to facilitate the staging of the Guyana Police Force’s Gymkhana which will take place at Eve Leary ground, the facility that was used to start and finish the race over the past two years.
Hooper further disclosed that to date 10 local entries have been received, but again that is expected to increase by the October 23 closing date.
Scott in his update said that there will be five categories, the male and female Open International, the Masters for Men over 50 years of age, juniors between the ages of 18-20 years and those between the ages of 16-17 years.
All the categories will have cash incentives for the top finishers with the International segment offering a similar amount for both male and female athletes.
The first place finisher carries home US$1,000, 2nd place-$600, 3rd place-$ 400, 4th place- $300 and 5th place-$200.
Entrance fee in this category is $1,000.
The Masters will receive US$100 for the winner, runner-up $60 and 3rd place- $40 and the cost to participate is $500.
In the juniors segment, the winners in both categories will take home US$100, 2nd place-$50 and 3rd place- $25.
Entrance fee is $500.
Scott stated that the Organisers have decided to waiver the late entry fee as well.
Rose in his remarks said that they’ve decided against naming a national team, but rather have allowed the athletes to pick themselves by virtue of their performances for the second and third legs scheduled for Suriname and Panama.
Ifill, who is the Transportation Director, said that Suriname is expected to arrive first followed by T&T.
Meanwhile, the defending Men’s champion is Guyanese Cleveland Forde with Brazilian Antonia Silva, holding the crown on the distaff side.
Other members of the LOC include President of the AAG Colin Boyce, Police Commissioner Henry Greene, Amanda Hermanstine, Mayfield Taylor Trim and Faye Naughton.

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