Under a sweltering sun, last Sunday, January 31st, the Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association kicked off its annual One-mile Classic Road-race in The Valley at 3:00 p.m.— primarily for school children. The scene was an exciting frenzy of great expectation as a swarm of sporting enthusiasts gathered to witness the competition.
Crowds thronged the starting point around the almond tree outside Landsome Bowl to “big-up” the children – in support. The youngsters had been practicing tirelessly for the meet over many recent weeks. Similarly, jostling crowds stormed the area around the finish line, outside of Ashley’s Supermarket, to eagerly wait for the winning children to be congratulated with hilarious cheers and shouts of victory.
These races cater mainly to school-age children, but they are extended to adults, as well, particularly parents who race for the fun of it while helping to boost the competitive spirit of their children. At the end of it all, the proud winning children would be awarded points for their respective schools which would go towards their schools’ performance during the interschool sports activities in March.
Mrs. Lorna Kentish-Rogers has been President of the Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association for twelve years. The Anguillian spoke with her on site: “The schools have been preparing hard for this annual event,” she said. “We have been doing this for many years now. Each year it gets larger and larger and, especially, this year we have many spectators which I think is due to the fact that in this ‘Covid environment’ people need somewhere to go — and something exciting to do. We have registered some 300 athletes for today’s races.”
Mrs. Kentish-Rogers said that the One-mile Classic Road-race serves as a warm up for the beginning of the schools’ sports season. She said her desire for the event is that it continues to grow from strength to strength with increased participation and more support.
The ages of the athletes range from 6 to 35 and over. The one-mile route starts outside Landsome Bowl, turning left and heading north at the cultivation lot, then turning left at “The Trough”. It proceeds along the “Valley Well” road, turning left at the Tamarind Bar Barbeque, and ending at the finish line outside Ashley’s Supermarket.
The resulting scores from Sunday’s events follow for males and females ages 6 to 14. Other age ranges are not included here: Females age 6: 1st Place – Cynfanie Liburd; 2nd Place – Dekayla Basil; 3rd Place – Taela Hodge. Females ages 7 to 8: 1st Place – Codejah Connor; 2nd Place – J’Nique Charles; 3rd Place – Taishynae Carty. Females ages 9 to 10: 1st Place: Cynne Liburd; 2nd Place – Z’Yah Sasso; 3rd Place – Keiarah Webster. Females ages 11 to 12: 1st Place –Chevonique Da Souza; 2nd Place – Christin Fleming; 3rd Place – Tyliquah Lake. Females 13 to 14: First Place – Ronylah Webster; 2nd Place – Te-jhana Young; 3rd Place – Hakea Brooks.
Males age 6: 1st Place – T’Moni Richjardson; 2nd Place – Kyron Mona; 3rd Place – Isaiah Bakrim; Males 7 to 8: 1st Place – Zahkori Connor; 2nd Place – Ty’Shaune Vanterpool; 3rd Place J’Zehyon Brooks. Males 9 to 10: 1st Place –Tarique Young; 2nd Place Jaiden Derreck; 3rd Place – Collani Joseph. Males 11-12: 1st Place – Ruel Florent; 2 Place Payden Hodge; 3rd Place – Tarik Jackson. Males 13 to 14: 1st Place – Cardinae Rennie; 2nd Place – Kemari Gumbs; 3rd Place – Keante Brooks.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
