Long distance favourite Richard Jones outpaced Defense Force's Matthew Hadlee by a footstep to win the Public Service Week 5K Run/Walk around the Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain yesterday afternoon. In third place was Tobagonian Elvis Turner of Falcons, who clocked 16:21. "The competition was good, some of the usual road race runners were out there," said Jones afterwards. "The heat affected all of us."
Among the Women, Athletics Central's Tonya Nero finished at the front of the pack ahead of Celine Lestrade. "I used this event as training," said Nero, who will travel to Bulgaria in October for the IAAF World Half Marathon Championship. "I just tried to stay up with the guys."
Over 1,800 participants turned out for the race, which was part of the World Public Service Day celebrations. It marked the first event of the Ministry of Public Administration's Public Service Week, which will also include an Open House on Harris Promenade, San Fernando on Wednesday and the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain on Thursday, a Career Fair at the Brian Lara Promenade on Saturday and the Public Service Excellence Awards on July 12.
Results
Men
1. Richard Jones (Unattached)
2. Matthew Hadlee (Defense Force)
3. Elvis Turner (Falcons) - 16:21
Women
1. Tonya Nero (Athletics Central)
2. Celine Lestrade (Unattached) - 20:01
