Former District Six national athlete Esan Hooper took the top spot in the Big Star Youth and Sports Club’s Emancipation 10k road race. Locals flocked the roadways as Hooper stopped the clock at 43 minutes, two seconds.
The race was held on Sunday morning from Number 35 Village to Ulverston Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and close to 30 athletes were in high competition on the roadways.
In addition to Hooper, Arvin Valenzuela won the 5k road race, while Princes Wong won the female category in the 5k race, which started at Bush Lot Village.
Lasandra Davis emerged as the winner in the female category of the 10k race.
As Hooper took the early lead, he left Anton Wright in second, while Assany McPhoy finished third. Shaquail Smith came in fourth to round out the top finishers in the male 10k race.
After Valenzuela took top honours in the 5k male race, Javier Henry had to settle for second, while Joseph Rahaman came third. Amari Gibbs finished fourth.
Leander Bennette, Princes Butcher and Torremica Dick were the other finishers in that order in the female 5k race.
Berty Rahaman took the brave step to run the Over-50 category solo, and he finished in style. Veteran coach Patrick Gray, one of the founding fathers of the club, was presented a special award for his services over the years.
The race was successfully organised by Tyrone Smith and the Big Star Committee members, while corporate support came from A Ally’s and Sons, Courts Guyana, Republic Bank, Banks DIH, Sparkle Supermarket and Athletics Guyana.
In addition to the companies, locals from the area supported the event financially.
Big Star Youth and Sport Club was founded in 1991.
The club is known for producing cricketers, with Melroy Barkley being the club’s first National youth cricketer, while current Guyana Harpy Eagles selectee, Sylus Tyndall started his career at the Ulverston-based club.
