Athletics: Cross-country series – races 1 |18 December 2019

The start of the race

Satisfactory turnout at first races of series

With the year’s local sporting season almost at its end, a satisfactory crowd of athletes turned up for the first races of the cross-country series held at the fitness trail at Roche Caïman on Saturday.

Organised by the Seychelles Athletics Federation (SAF), the inaugural races in a series of three was divided into seven categories which were the girls’ and boys’ under-16 years old where the young athletes covered 2km, or one lap of the fitness trail, the boys’ under-18 years who covered 4km (two laps), the men under-20 years old category who ran 8km (four laps), the senior men over 20 years old who covered 10km (five laps), the female masters group who ran 6km (three laps) and the male masters over 35 years old who covered 8km (four laps).

In the boys’ under-16 years old group, Neil Azemia, representing Port Glaud Shooting Star (PGSS), finished first in 7 minutes 14.6 seconds (7:14.6), ahead of second-placed and PGSS teammate Gael Denis who clocked 7:14.7.

Laurent Radegonde of Plaisance finished third in 7:14.8.

In the same category for the girls, Natifa Hollanda of Plaisance crossed the finish line first in 8:37.1, ahead of Naomie Anacoura also of Plaisance who was second in 8:39.2.

Anissa Lozaïque of Perseverance Arrow finished third in the group, clocking 11:48.7.

In the boys’ under-18 category, Kurt Lesperance of the PGSS was the grand winner in 13:47.1, finishing ahead of Rodrigo Télémaque, also of the PGSS who was second in 13:49.2.

Aaron Malcouzane of the Perseverance Arrow finished third in 15:26.9.

In the men’s under-20 years old race, loner Kalvin Morel of the Perseverance Arrow bagged the first win of the series in 31:46.7, while in the men’s over-20 years old group, Gerard Jaomaro of PAC was unchallenged to claim the victory in 40:56.8.

Elva Gamatis was the winner of the female masters, or the women’s over 35 years old category in 32:08.6, relegating Florise Ernesta into second place. Her time was 33:14.0.

For the male masters, Chatkuli Rudra Ray was the winner in 32:17.4, finishing ahead of Thada Magar Amir who clocked 33:49.7.

The second races of the series will take place on January 11, while the third and final races will be held on January 25.

The complete results of the first races of the cross-country series

Girls’ under-16 – 2km (1 lap)

1. Natifa Hollanda – Plaisance (8:37.1)
2. Naomie Anacoura – Plaisance (8:39.2)
3. Anissa Lozaique – Persévérance Arrow (11 :48.7)

Boys’ under-16 – 2km (1 lap)

1. Neil Azemia – PGSS (7:14.6)
2. Gael Denis –PGSS (7:14.7)
3. Laurent         Radegonde – Plaisance (7:14.8)
4. David Barra – Persévérance Arrow (7:17.6)
5. Kim Mathiot – PGSS (7:18.0)
6. Christ Laporte – PGSS (7:19.0)
7. Nathan Marie – PGSS (7:20.4)
8. Jerius Anacoura – Plaisance (8:14.3)

Boys’ under-18 – 4km (2 laps)

1. Kurt Lesperance – PGSS (13:47.1)
2. Rodrigo Télémaque – PGSS  (13:49.2)
3. Aaron Malcouzanne – Persévérance Arrow       (15:26.9)

Men under 20 – 8km (4 laps)

1. Kalvin Morel – Persévérance Arrow (31:46.7)

Men over 20 – 10km (5 laps)

1. Gerard Jaomarao – PAC (40:56.8)

Masters female – over 35 – 6km (3 laps)

1. Elva Gamatis – PGSS (32:08.6)
2. Florise Ernesta – PAC (33:14.0)

Masters male – over 35 – 8km (4 laps)

1. Chhatkuli Rudra Ray – (32:17.4)
2. Thada Maga Amir (33:49.7)

Roland Duval