Odida Parkinson of District 3 (West Demerara) went back-to-back with victories in the 10km road race as Track and Field action commenced at the 61st edition of the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships.
Just as he did in 2022, Parkinson dominated from start to finish, and as he pointed out, the lack of challenges proved counterproductive, with him challenging for the record of 35:32.92 seconds.
For more than half of the race, it was all Parkinson, as some onlookers might have thought he was on a casual jog alone, given the distance he created from his nearest rival.
On Sunday, in another run from Mary/Harlem into the National Track and Field Facility on the West Coast of Demerara, he clocked 36:52.56s, even slower than his 36:48.23s in 2022.
The CARIFTA Athlete said he would push himself further in the 5,000m and the 1,500m.
In a distant second was District 5’s (West Coast Berbice) David Bovell with a time of 37:25.90s and District 6 (Corentyne) Solomon Lowenfield (38.21.50s).
Likewise, Vannytta Francis of District 9 (Rupununi) comfortably won the girls’ race in a time of 46:51.96s, followed by District 10’s (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) Royanna Hermanstyne (49:09.51s) and District 2’s (Essequibo Coast & Pomeroon) Sheleima Alberts (53:35.50s).
Today, the action moves to the inner circuit of the National Park for cycling and the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, for swimming.
Both events are scheduled to commence at 09:00.
Track and Field will take centre stage at the National Track and Field Centre from Tuesday to Friday.
