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‘Little Kenyan’ Cleveland Forde wins Suriname leg of South American 10k
Lionel D’Andrade claims 3rd; Alika Morgan 2nd among females
Sueli Vieira
Alika Morgan
By Franklin Wilson in Suriname
In association with Humphrey’s Bakery &
Farm Products, Ketley Street Charlestown
Guyana’s Cleveland ‘Little Kenyan’ Forde maintained his dominance of the South american10k Road Classic when he made it two out of two with victory in the Suriname leg on Sunday last having also won the first leg which took place in Guyana, one week earlier.
Forde in exhilarating fashion, outsprinted Brazilian Elieso Da Silva as the two battled neck and neck to the line in the final 200 metres to win in 32 minutes 46.75 seconds. Forde was also triumphant against the Brazilian in the first leg here. Da Silva clocked 32 minutes 49.11 seconds.
Another Guyanese, Lionel D’Andrade (34.05.46) took the third spot while female Guyanese sensation Alika Morgan (41.16.68) had to settle for the runner up spot behind Brazilian Sueli Vieira (39.01.63) who also won in Guyana.
The race was originally scheduled for last Saturday but due to heavy rainfall, lightning and thunder, organisers were advised to cancel the race by the Suriname Police authorities. Police, initially had informed the organisers that the race would not have been possible on Sunday since they had prior commitments but with the intervention of the Minister of Defence Mr. Fernald, the event came off on Sunday afternoon in excellent weather.
Other Guyanese finishing the race was Dennis Horaito (36.17.49) who was the 6th athlete to cross the line with Chavez Sital (37.37.47) taking the 9th spot. Suriname’s Lorenzo Main and Steven Vismale were 4th and
Left to right, Cleveland Forde, Elieso Da Silva and Lionel D
5th respectively. Athletes from the host country, Guyana and the Netherlands competed.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport after Sunday’s race, Forde said Da Silva was again a very good competitor and the race was a good one for him. He said from the outset, the intention was to run a fast race but with Da Silva setting the pace, he decided to hold him. At the half way stage Forde said he upped the pace and went ahead but Da Silva was right there.
The two athletes changed the lead at times but then Forde decided to take the initiative of upping the tempo as the race matured.
“At first when I went ahead, no one responded but then Da Silva connected and really stayed up to the end and we had a good battle to the line.”
The cancellation of the race on Saturday according to Forde had no effect on him since as a professional one has to be prepared for these kinds of situations.
He is now making efforts along with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to travel to Panama for the Third and final leg of the race which is scheduled for November 8.
D’Andrade also spoke with Kaieteur Sport after the race and said he was felling really well on Saturday but on Sunday he was not at his best.
“But all in all I think this course is a very fast one and I ended up running almost the same time that I did in Guyana but it was good. At the half way point I felt good, I was back up with the front two but I was not able to sustain the pace to the finishing line.”
D’Andrade, who is based in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, said he will be returning there on Thursday and is scheduled to compete in a 5k on Sunday and a 10k on the 15th of November also.
The Guyanese team returned home yesterday.
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