Gardner preparing for 2nd leg of 10k Marathon in Nickerie

May 07, 2016 Sports

After winning O-55 category last Sunday in Paramaribo

By Sean Devers
On Sunday last in the Dutch land of Suriname, Guyanese continued their dominance in the Telesur 10K race with 59-year-old Llewellyn Gardner winning the first leg in Paramaribo in the Over-55 category.

Llewellyn Gardner won the Srefidensi 10K Marathon in Paramaribo last year on his 59th birthday.

Guyanese Cleveland Thomas won the overall race among the Males after fellow Guyanese Cleveland Forde who travelled to Suriname but picked up an injury and could not defend his title.
American based Guyanese Euleen Jossiah-Tanner finished first among the women, while Linden Harrison, another Guyanese ended second in the over-45 division.
Running in Suriname is nothing new to the still very fit looking Gardner whose previous win there was on November 21 last year when he captured the over-55 segment of the Srefidensi Marathon in Paramaribo on his birthday.
The veteran distance runner finished the 26 miles in 40 minutes and is now preparing to defend his title next week Sunday when the second leg is held in Nickerie.
Gardner, who said team Guyana has won top honours every year for the past 10 years, is also training for the 10K race which starts from Independence Square in Georgetown on May 22.
“I train every other day at the National Park doing five laps or speed training with includes 25, 50 and 100 meters sprints. I also run from Georgetown to Plaisance on the East Coast,” Gardner informed.
Gardner is trained by Rising Stars Coach Leslie Blacks and trains alongside Alika Morgan who won last year in Suriname but was not there this year.
Without private sponsors most of those who travel overseas to represent Guyana would be ‘dead in their boots’ and Garden was high in praise for former Guyana cricketer Lennox Cush and Star Party Rentals. He also commended Windjammer Hotel, Sleep Inn Hotel and Money for being among those that readily support sports in Guyana and he was proud to have them as some his sponsors.
Gardner says his love for running is what keeps him competing and has no intention of retiring anytime soon. Like good wine Gardner seems be getting better with age.