Parkinson and Harvey cop runner-up spots at CARICOM 10K; Thomas finishes third

Guyana continued its tradition of excellence at the CARICOM 10K Road Race with a series of podium finishes on Sunday, as Odida Parkinson and Attoya Harvey both secured second-place finishes in the elite categories during the 19th staging of the event in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.

Parkinson produced an impressive run to finish second in the Elite Men’s 10K behind Jamaica’s Garfield Gordon, who claimed the coveted CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy. Antigua and Barbuda’s Kamar Thomas completed the podium in third.

In the women’s elite race, Guyana’s Attoya Harvey, the 2023 champion, delivered another strong performance to finish second behind Barbados’ Carlie Robinson, who captured the CARICOM Secretary-General’s Trophy. Trinidad and Tobago’s Alexia John crossed the line in third.

Guyana also celebrated success in the Open Men’s category, with Cleveland Thomas finishing third overall in a time of 34 minutes, 26 seconds. Kenya’s Alex Ekesa won the race in 30:24, while St. Lucia’s Christopher Dubisson placed second in 33:21.

The results capped another productive outing for the Golden Arrowhead, which fielded its largest-ever team for the prestigious regional event. Harvey, Parkinson, Thomas and Jelesa Wright represented Guyana under the management of experienced athletics official Tyrone Smith.

Before the team’s departure, the National Sports Commission (NSC) reaffirmed its commitment to the athletes by providing financial and logistical support, with Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle expressing confidence that the quartet would continue Guyana’s proud history at the event.

His confidence proved well-founded as Guyana returned home with three podium finishes, reinforcing the country’s status as one of the Caribbean’s strongest distance-running nations.

More than 250 professional athletes, amateur competitors and recreational runners from 15 CARICOM member states and territories participated in this year’s Road Run/Walk, which forms part of the activities surrounding the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, being held from July 5-8 in St. Lucia.

Speaking during the post-race awards ceremony, St. Lucia’s Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation, Kenson Casimir, described the event as a celebration of regional unity that extends beyond competition.

He noted that the Road Run/Walk symbolises health, discipline, friendship and the shared Caribbean identity that connects member states, adding that every participant contributed to strengthening the spirit of regional integration.

CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett echoed those sentiments, highlighting the event’s role in promoting healthier lifestyles across the region as CARICOM continues its fight against the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

She encouraged Caribbean citizens to embrace regular physical activity as a means of reducing the incidence of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.