Missigher edges out Thomas at ‘5k’ Fun Run’
- Clocks in 15 minutes 16 seconds
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, June 9, 2018
Winston Missigher nosed out his competition at the Aquatic Starz Shine 5k ‘Fun Run’, with a sprint to the finish line.
Missigher clocked in at 15 minutes 16 seconds, just edging out Cleveland Thomas who came in second at 15 minutes 17 seconds and Marlon Nicholson who at third place clocked in 15 minutes 32 seconds.
The race which began and concluded at the Diamond Tarmac, East Bank Demerara saw over 150 participants ranging in age from seven to 50 years.
Missigher said the 5k was very tough since his last race was on May 26 and he was not fully prepared. His training was hindered training due to abscesses that are under his arm.
Nevertheless, Missigher said “I relied on my experience and my little fitness from when I ran earlier in the year. That is what carried me through the race successfully.” To keep up with his main rival Cleveland Thomas, Missigher explained that his strategy was to stay keep pace with him and ensure he did have a huge lead.
Also participating in the event was Uttamkumar Isurdeen, who is wheelchair bound but no stranger to such events. Isurdeen said he was happy to participate in the 5k since races such as these help to keep him fit. His first place win, in the wheelchair category, he said, was as a result of hard work. “I did a lot of training and it is as a result of that training I am successful today,” Isurdeen explained.
Twelve-year-old Aliza Persaud dominated her competition in the 11 to 16 category finishing in first place in 22 minutes and 12 seconds. Donna Lowe placed second with a time of 24 minutes 51 seconds while Aliyah Clarke came in third clocking 26 minutes 31 seconds.
Persaud who is also a swimmer said the race “was not that hard because I normally do six minutes of running at the swimming pool… at the finish of the race, a girl tried to hold me off but people kept cheering me on, so I put my head down and I passed her.”
Kerry Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Aquatic Starz said that he was pleased with the turnout by the athletes and the support the event received which he deemed a success. Scott said that the Shine 5K is the first of four events slated to happen this year.
“We are thankful for the persons that actually came out. Apart from that, a lot of persons registered late and we had to close off to ensure the event a success. However, I am confident that next year it is going to be bigger and better>. From the ‘word on the ground’, we are expecting about 500 participants next year.”
By: Isaiah Braithwaite.
Images: Vishwanauth Babulall.