Forde runs away with Golden Mile, Dick takes 3km
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
December 1, 2003
TWO-time CARIFTA gold medallist Cleveland Forde and the fast rising Delcie Dick gave Rising Stars Athletic Club a double as they ended the year with the top prizes in the season’s closer, yesterday.
Forde won the third Golden Mile, sponsored this year again by the Guyana Olympic Association, and Dick won the Women On The Move 3km, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana.
The diminutive Forde crossed the finish line in front of the Ministry of Sport on Main Street in 4:27.48 minutes, followed by Lionel D’Andrade of Royal Youth Movement (4:34.48 minutes), Colin Mercurius of Police (4:36.42) and Kelvin Johnson of Rising Stars (4:42.34).
GOA president K. Juman-Yassin started the race at Seawall Road and Camp Road, with just 16 athletes of 24 registered, facing the starting line.
Davidnan Daniels broke away early from the bunch by the Seawall Band Stand, with fellow Road Runners athlete John Henry clearing, too, then Jermaine Pilgrim of Royal and they entered High Street.
Forde began attacking by Barrack Street, eventually taking the lead by the next corner, Cowan Street, and held on at front to the end of the race.
D’Andrade left the bunch by New Market Street and by Middle Street, the other placers were clear of the main bunch.
Forde pocketed US$200 and the winners’ trophy, D’Andrade US$150 and Mercurius US$100, all cash in foreign currency.
Dick clocked 10:32.18 minutes, followed by club mate Alika Morgan in 10:33.70 minutes, Ashanti Scott of NA Track Club in 10:40.13 and Carlisa Shabaz of Road Runners in 10:42.37.
Starting from just past the corner of Lamaha and Main Streets, Dick began attacking the leaders at the turn by the Cenotaph and going north on the western carriageway of Main Street, she was third by Quamina Street and eventually took the lead.
However, Morgan was awarded the Under-15 first place because she entered in that category, with Shabaz second and Kimberly Dick of NA Track third.
Omisha Humphrey of NA Track, who placed seventh overall, won the Under-17 category, with club mate Donna April second and Kenisha Lashley of President’s College third.
Thus in the Open Women’s category, Delcie Dick pocketed $12 000 and the trophy, Ashanti Scott $8 000 and Melisa Blake $8 000. Trophies were awarded in the junior categories.
Juman-Yassin congratulated the AAA for doing a “fabulous job” over the years, but said he was disappointed with the turnout for the Golden Mile.
“It has lost some of its flair from the first one,” Juman-Yassin said.
The GOA boss pointed out that the female race was better subscribed, pointing out that female athletes were surpassing the male athletes.
“It was females, Marian Burnett and Aliann Pompey, who brought glory to our country,” Juman-Yassin said.
AAA president Claude Blackmore disclosed that from next year, the Golden Mile would be done in all districts, then the winners would clash in the National meet in which athletes from the Caribbean would enter for a minimum first prize of US$500.
Blackmore also explained that the women’s prize was compressed from five places to three to make the purse more attractive.
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