Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Senior athlete Llewellyn Gardner continues to aim for the stars
At 55 years most persons are dubbed old and relegated to menial tasks rather than rigorous activities. Llewellyn Gardner falls among the first category; he is 55 years old, but certainly refuses to subscribe to the second as he continues to light the track afire with sterling performances.
Gartner has participated in the Telesur 10K meet in neighboring Suriname Thursday May 1 last and continues to defy the critics when he outran two other competitors in his category to capture the honours in the 55-60 years category in 41:48secs.
Llewellyn Gardner
A member of the Rising Stars Track and Field Club, Gardner said that he is now ready to continue his winning ways when he returns for the second leg of that race slated for Nickerie May 18 next.
Further, the senior athlete has his sight riveted on the Independence Day race scheduled for May 26 and he is confident of replicating his first place achievement in the same event staged last year from Paradise ECD to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Main Street headquarters.
Gardner said that 10 veterans had competed in that event and he had prevailed; two others out of Holland were among the competitors in the Suriname race and he had also romped home ahead of them.
Gardner had also distinguished himself as a top athlete when he won the 5K event staged March 2 last, organized by Wartsila Company and commenced at the Ocean View Hotel ECD. Out of five senior participants, Gardner once again dominated the field. He said that Minister Frank Anthony and Director of Youth and Sports, Neil Kumar have indicated that the Independence race would have been a yearly feature and he (Gardner) currently has his sights set on participation in the meet.
Further, Gardner has his eyes set on participating in another marathon event to be sponsored by Star Party Rentals and slated for June. He said that proprietor of Star Party Rentals, Lennox Cush, had supported his efforts in the past and he is very grateful for the help.
The veteran athlete said that he has been running from the tender age of thirteen and is married to Desiree who hails from the Barima/Waini region. He also said that he has lived in that region for more than 31 years. He was scheduled to meet with other veteran marathon runners in the National Park yesterday afternoon to discuss the modalities for the establishment of a masters club that would focus on athletes of his ilk. Otherwise, Gardner continues to defy the conventional theory that relegates senior citizens to the backburner of sports activities.
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