Latest update January 20th, 2025 4:00 AM
Forde, Morgan easily retain Neal & Massy 10k titles
– barefooted Junior, Giddings upsets senior men
The script was all too familiar for seasoned distance runners, Alika Morgan and Cleveland Forde yesterday morning at the Neal and Massy Group of Companies 10km Road Race with easy wins that helped them retain the titles they won last year.
Morgan completed the course that started outside the Group’s offices in Ruimveldt and went up to the around the National Stadium and back in 41:56 with Ashanti Scott placing second in 43:22 and Eva Harry third in 47:44 in the senior women’s category.
Neal and Massy Group CEO, Deo Persaud (centre) and AAG President, Colin Boyce (right) and other Neal and Massy Managers and Directors pose with the top finishers in the Neal and Massy 10k Road Race yesterday.
Forde took the senior men’s title in the second annual race, which started last year, in 34:24 with Dennis Horatio taking second in 35:30 and Cleveland Thomas third in 35:48. The big surprise in the race yesterday was the barefooted junior, Nathaniel Giddings.
The junior road runner, who broke into prominence last year when he bravely led the high-profiled South American 10km Road Race for about seven kilometres, finished second overall in the race yesterday just 12 seconds behind overall leader, Forde.
Giddings returned a steaming 34:36 time, beating his senior counterparts, Horatio and Thomas as he had promised to do at a press conference to launch the event two weeks ago. Giddings said he wanted to prove a point and send a message to Horatio and Thomas.
Forde is next on his list to conquer he added. Chavez Sital finished second in the junior boys race with 37:16 while Kevin Bailey was third in 37:46. Jevina Straker won the girls’ junior race with a time of 46:06 while Adana Roberts (46:41) and Shanice Hatton (48:03) were second and third respectively.
In the male masters’ category, Llewellyn Gardner proved superior to Maurice Julian and Silas Brummel. Gardner won in 42:31 while Julian was second in 44:24 and Brummell third in 45:42. Alisha Fortune won the women’s version in 51:40 with Lorriann Adams second in 1:02.48. None of the other women finished the race.
Before the presentation ceremony, Neal and Massy Group Chief Executive Officer, Deo Persaud said that based on the growth of the event this year, the race will continue in the future with plans underway to make it bigger calendar event.
“It is the second (race) and I can tell you that it certainly won’t be the last. If you continue to show this level of enthusiasm this race could go on for many, many years. We at Neal and Massy believe in world class products,” Persaud indicated.
He said that Neal and Massy is a pioneering group and he anticipates that the race will continue to grow since new dimensions will be added as his team and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) work to perfect the various facets of the race.
President of the AAG, Colin Boyce said that he is convinced that the race will continue for what he called “a very long time”. He informed that there are plans in the future to invite participants from the Neal and Massy in Trinidad and Barbados respectively.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to work on the areas that needs improvement so that once our house is in order we will be inviting overseas participants. This is a very good gesture and I am convinced that it will continue,” Boyce reiterated.
The top three finishers in each of the categories collected cash prizes and trophies while fourth and fifth places were the recipients of food hampers. There was also a fitness walk that attracted participants from various sectors, including the business class.
(Edison Jefford)
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