Kevern DeBellot and Melissa Gryzbowsi topped the Providenciales leg of the Delano Williams Foundation 10K and 5k Road Race on Saturday, November 19.
Debellot, who contested the 10K, crossed the line ahead of Schoolboy Rasheed Talbot, who, too, displayed impressive effort. David Scales rounded off the top three in the 10K male category.
Gryzbowsi, it appeared, was the only female participant in the 10K.
Schoolboy Hency Gedeon snatched first place in the 5K category, coming ahead of Fernando Ayuso and Ken Reyes, who crossed the line with the same time. Malique Evans completed the three top spots in that category.
Laura Mensen topped the 5K in the female category, crossing the line ahead of Roneisha Johnson and Morgan Luker.
In the children’s category, the child first to cross the line was Oseta Jolly Primary School student Stephen Tiresies, who impressively finished his 5K run ahead of mor than half the field. Second to cross the line in that category was Kale Luker, with Lucas Emery rounding off the top three.
There was also a category for the oldest female. That event was won by Gillian Delancy, who competed in the 5K. Her male counterpart was Phillip Edwards, who ran the 10K.
The event received widespread support, including Governor His Excellency Nigel Dakin, his wife Mandy, who just over two weeks ago, competed a grueling trek across the Turks and Caicos courtesy of her Charity – Footsteps for Good.
Support also came from Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development Hon. Jamell Robinson.
Delano Williams – patron of the event, and the country’s most successful athlete to date, not only participated in the race, but was on hand to hand out the prizes.
Williams, a former World Youth Track and Field Champion, double Carifta Track and Field Championship Gold Medalist, and the country’s first and only Olympian in any event, was blown away by the level of support for the event.
“It was tremendous to me. I think it was our biggest crowd yet…the biggest number we have ever had,” Williams told NewslineTCI, noting that after 14 years high school, college and professional training in Jamaica is now back on home soil for good.
Having landed a job at the TCI Sports Commission, Williams said his role is now to develop talent across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“I am on the grown now, and I see that we have a lot to work on. I have been in Jamaica for 14 years, I know how stuff works, I am on the ground, and I feel like we have a long we to go,” Williams analyzed.
“I love the support. I enjoyed the run, but I know things could be much better. I want to big-up the people who planned the event, starting with chairman, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, who have done so much for sports in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Williams added.
Williams pointed out that even though the Delano Williams Foundation 10K and 5K Road Race has been billed as a competitive event, it is also a health and fitness event.
“Health is wealth, and I think people enjoyed it,” he said.
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