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Independence Half Marathon aims for international status
– Ministry/AAG officially launch Sunday’s race
By Edison Jefford
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is hoping that the annual Independence Half Marathon will be able to garner international status in the coming years, and as such has given an unequivocal mandate to the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to partner with the efforts of the Ministry to develop the competition.
Speaking at the official launch of the Independence Half Marathon that is set for Sunday, MCYS Permanent Secretary, Alfred King said that the Ministry is hoping that the race will be able to get
Permanent Secretary within the MCYS, Alfred King (second left) addresses the media in the presence of Director of Sport, Neil Kumar (left), AAG Vice-President, Gavin Hope and MCYS Admin Officer, Gervy Harry yesterday.
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) accreditation.
“I see this growing quickly over the years to become a highly sought after regional event,” King told the media yesterday at the Ministry’s Main Street office, adding that the Ministry anticipates such growth over the next three years, and will be working closely with the AAG to achieve the goal.
According to King, the event “is worthy of celebrating our Anniversary”; as a result, he said that all national associations, and clubs, should take the opportunity to encourage their athletes to participate in the race as a means of raising health and fitness awareness.
“I am hoping that by the end of this activity there will be a greater appreciation for marathons as we are well-advanced in terms of our planning for the event; we can expect a well-organised race on Sunday,” King said during his remarks.
Vice-President of the AAG, Gavin Hope made it clear that the association will be doing all that it can from an administrative perspective to ensure that the race succeeds; he stated that from usage of the clock to setting up all pervading systems for the race along the roadways, the AAG will do its part to ensure standards are set during the event.
“I want to be on record as saying that the AAG will leave no stones unturned in ensuring that the event is memorable. We will make all efforts to have local athletes properly represented. We will have a massive event by 2016,” he assured, subtly responding to the mandate of Ministry in their remarks.
He pleaded for the avoidance of any delays from athletes and officials Sunday morning, while he believed that the race could be a spectacle. Additionally, Hope informed that 90% of in excess of $1.5M to host the race came from the coffers of the Ministry.
The categories for the race are Open (Men and Women) and Masters (Men 40-55 and 56 & older and Women 35 and older). Cash prizes will be presented to the persons finishing 1-5 in the Open category and 1-3 in the Masters.
The prizes include: Senior (Men and Women) 1st $75,000; 2nd $60,000; 3rd $45,000; 4th $30,000 and 5th $20,000 and Masters (Men and Women) 1st $50,000; 2nd $30,000 and 3rd $20,000.
The race will start at 5:30am in front of Jerricks Funeral Home at Paradise, East Coast Demerara and end in front of the Ministry on Main Street. Transportation for athletes leaves the Ministry at 4:00am and athletes were reminded to be on time.
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar said that there will be some surprises in the race, adding that he is not going to reveal what they will be. “I enjoyed working with Gavin and the others and we’re in discussions for a marathon near the end of the year,” he added.
Kumar told the media yesterday that the Ministry “have the interest of the Diaspora” in the race, and the aim is to cement that interest with increased international participation in years to come. He added his voice to the call for loads of local athletes to compete Sunday.
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