If one is to judge from the Ministry of Community Development’s 5K Run and Walk which was staged on the Waterford circuit yesterday, then the 2014 Senior Games will certainly be for the swift.
With the sun just about to peep over the East, 50-year-old Patrick Bourne ran a blistering race to finish in 18 minutes, a record for the age group.
Just 23 seconds behind was 48-year-old Orin Josiah, and third was 53-year-old Lester Phillips, who clocked 18:49.
The pace was maintained among the women, with the consistent Ainsley Lovell winning in 22:32.
Second was Donna Gibbs, who clocked 22:56, and third was Jane Evelyn in 23:38.
Dudley Harewood and Veta Batson continued their dominance of the walk with their opponents battling for the runners-up positions.
Harewood stopped the clock at 29:09, with Eon Mitchell second in 30:05 and Larry Maynard third in 30:14.
With her customary wry grin, Batson, 65, moved into high gear on the home stretch to take the gold in 33:40, leaving Sandra Murray to take the second spot in 35:20. The third position fell to Angela Jackson who crossed the finish line in 37:54.
A total of 161 competitors had registered, but only 60 competed in the run, while 54 took part in the walk.
The finals will be contested over two days, April 26 and 27, to be held at the National Stadium this year for the first time.
