Heavy rain, thunder & lightening washes out 2nd leg of South American 10k

Nov 01, 2009 Sports

Defence Minister intervenes, race set for today

By Franklin Wilson in Suriname. In association with Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products, Ketley Street, Charlestown

For the first time in the seven year history of the South American 10k road race, rain has resulted in the event being called off. However, following an initial position of cancelling the race, intervention by Suriname’s Minister of Defence has ensured the race will be staged instead today. It is set to start at 5:30pm and the athletes including defending champ Cleveland Forde will get their chance to make their mark on the event.
In Suriname yesterday afternoon into early evening, it was not just rain, but heavy rain accompanied by lightening and thunder which resulted in flooded streets including those on the race route for the second leg of the race.
Some 80 athletes from the host country, United States of America, Brazil, Holland and Guyana including defending male champion, Guyanese Cleveland Forde were all getting warm despite the adverse weather but were later given the grim news that the race would no longer be held.
Making the decision to call off the event was the Suriname Police Force who had responsibility for ensuring a safe race.
Rain began falling approximately 40 minutes before the start of the race which was scheduled at 16:30hrs, 15:30hrs Guyana time. So heavy was the downpour that within 30 minutes, the streets began flooding. While the elements above eased a bit 45 minutes after the scheduled start of the race, the water never receded until one hour 15 minutes later. By that time race officials led by Race Director Bianca Mohamatsaud and the Police were seen negotiating whether to race will go ahead or not.
Eventually, the Police decided that the race route was too slippery not only for the athletes but their motorcycles also, effectively calling the event off.
Surinamese officials enquired from the Police if there was a possibility of the race being held today (Sunday) given the fact that so many athletes journeyed from a number of countries to compete, but they were told that the Police already have a number of events to take care of today, so that would not be possible.
No doubt all the athletes were very disappointed following the breaking of the news to them so much so that they milled around the area long into the evening even with the rain still falling, but not heavily.
When the news was broken, the water had already subsided from the streets but it was already dark.
Defending champion, Guyanese Cleveland Forde, speaking with Kaieteur Sport said he was disappointed but there was nothing he could do.
“I am naturally disappointed the race will not go on, I am not sure about the road because I know that races are held during rain but I think the race could have run off but we just have to accept the decision of the Police.”
The young Guyanese aka ‘The Little Kenyan’ informed that the 3rd leg of the race is set for Panama on November 8 and he is making efforts to attend.
Race Director, Former General Secretary of the Suriname Athletics Bond, Bianca Mohamatsaud was very emotional on being given the news by the Police but held strong to speak with Kaieteur Sport.
“I want to really cry because the athletes have worked so hard in preparing for this race, they were looking forward to it. It’s the only international race day we have here in Suriname so we did everything to have a good race. When the rain came with the lightening and thunder, we thought this was bad but after the rain stopped we went on the route and it was good but the Police said, the road was slippery and dangerous for the athletes and their motorcycles.”
Mohamatsaud, herself a former athlete, said they would now have to report to the South American Athletic Confederation (CONSUDATLE) to seek advice on how they can handle such a situation since it was the first time that it has occurred.
Athletic Association of Guyana Secretary General Claude Blackmore who is also the CONSUDATLE Technical Delegate for the races informed Kaieteur Sport that he was somewhat disappointed that the race did not come off but they will forward a report to CONSUDATLE and the IAAF informing them of what happened.
Blackmore also noted that the Suriname Athletic Bond would have to determine whether they want to find a convenient date when they can have the race again.
“This decision would have to be conveyed to CONSUDATLE together with my report and it would be taken from there.”
However, all that has now changed thanks to the Defence Minister’s intervention.