Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Tuesday | October 13, 2009
Home : Sport
Outrider's error cuts race to 7k
Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer


Alfred Francis - File

Jamaica's junior representatives Kemoy Campbell of Bellefield High and Natoya Goule of Manchester High stole the spotlight in what should have been Sunday's Burger King 10k in Montego Bay.

However, the event - the second in the six-race Jamdammers Road Race Series - was inadvertently reduced to a 7km when the police patrol leading the riders took the wrong route, this resulting in a shortened course.

"The patrol turned the lead runners at 3.5km," said race director Alfred Francis "We had someone at the turn who was telling the runners to continue, but the police insisted that they turned with the runners.

"We ended up with 7km instead of the 10km, so the competition was fair in the end," concluded Francis, who is also chairman of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association road race committee.

Topped the field

Campbell topped the field in 20 minutes and 49 seconds ahead Kirk Brown of Ebony Seek (21:24) and Shawn Pitter of Redemption Track Club (21:29).

Gregory McKenzie, running unattached, was fourth in 22:16 while Lorenzo Wedderman of Lion Heart rounded off the top five in 22:26.

On the women's side Goule, a four-time Carifta Games 800/1500m champion, ran 26 minutes and 09 seconds to turn the tables on G.C. Foster College's Stacey Bell (26:38).

Bell's teammates Areita Martin (27:23) and Twishawna Williams (27:50) were third and fourth, respectively, while Holmwood Technical's Amoya Bailey (28:30) was fifth.

Campbell, with two wins, is atop the points standing with 20, two ahead of Brown (18).

Tight race

The race was tight in the women's section with Bell (19), Goule (17) and Williams and Martin (16 each).

Holmwood Technical took the high school boys' section, finishing ahead of Bellefield and Edwin Allen.

Edwin Allen were the high school girls' top team, beating Holmwood and Manchester High.

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