MANCHESTER HIGH'S Natoya Goule justified her status as, at least for now, the new 'Queen of the Road', when she captured her second straight race, the Digicel/Denise Thwaites Race for Life 5K Run, at Independence Park yesterday morning.If last week's victory in the series opener was a shock, at the end of yesterday's race, the second in the Jamdammers 'Road to the Reggae Marathon' Grand Prix Road Race Series which started and ended at Independence Park, must have last year's Grand Prix champion, Arieta Martin of Ebony Running Challenge, and Tamica Thomas of Tacius Golding High wondering what they are doing wrong. Thomas and Martin dominated last season.
However, a new queen has arrived. Thirteen-year-old Goule, who looked as if she could have run another 5K when she crossed the finish line in 18 minutes and 17 seconds, said things were becoming easier.
"It was easier than last week," said the youngster who was second at the 2K-mark (7:02.00) behind Kayann Thompson (7:00.00).
With three races to go (one 5K and two 10K), Goule, not only won her second $5,000 prize, but also improved on her 18 minutes and 44 seconds done last week.
At last week's PUMA 5K, Goule, conditioned by IAAF Level Two certified coach Jerry Holness, took over the lead at the 3K mark.
RACE COVERED
"I had the race covered from that point (3K) and I'm proud of myself again," a relaxed Goule said after her second victory.
Thomas was relegated into third position yesterday, crossing the line in 18 minutes and 43 seconds, and Martin was fourth (18:54.00). She finished third last week.
Thompson, a bronze medallist at this year's World Junior Championships in Italy, finished second in 18 minutes and 34 seconds. Red Hill Road All-Age student Tiffany Richards finished fifth in 19:47.00.
Meanwhile, defending Grand Prix champion Wainard Talbert of Holmwood also continued his winnings ways. Talbert, who led rivals from as early as the 2K-point was alone coming into the stadium complex, winning in 15:32.00.
Unlike last week, Talbert said things were easier this time around. "There was no pressure at all."
"My race was 100 per cent better than last week because I got out and paces myself," said Talbert, who ran 15 minutes and 36 seconds, last week. "This is a big improvement. In each of my races I plan to improve," said Talbert, who boasts a personal best of 15 minutes and five seconds.
EDWARDS DEFEATED AGAIN
Again he defeated JDF's Phillip Edwards, who was timed in 15 minutes and 59 seconds. Third went to Andre Drummond of Glengoffe in 16 minutes and 11 seconds. Jermaine Gordon of G.C. Foster (16:16.00) and Andrew Gutzmore of Ebony Running Challenge (16:17.00) rounded off the top five.
Red Hill made a clean sweep in the girls' Under-9 section. Vanessa Reynolds won in 27:04.00, ahead of Takida White (28:19.00) and Tafara Ennis (35:14.00).
Goule secured another $1,500 when she walked way with the 10-14 age group category. Richards of Red Hill took second and Neisha Morgan of Manchester (19:50.00) third while the boys' section went to Steven Hunter of Hail Selassie (16:49.00) ahead of Lewisville's Ewan Porter (18:09.00).
Talbert won the 15-19 age group section ahead of Drummond and Zavion DaCosta of Glengoffe (16:37.00). Tamica Thomas, whose earning in two races is $8,000, took the female section in the 15-19 category ahead of Edwin Allen's pair of Jody-Ann Richards (20:04.00) and Jessica McLeod (20:09.00).
Martin won the 20-29 female section while Edward took the men's equivalent. In the 30-39 division, Gutzmore took the men's honours while Hilda Baker of Windalco (21:48.00) finished atop of the female field.
Mark Ashby of ItDat (18:21.00) and Christine Simpson of Jamdammers (26:36.00) took first in the 40-49 sections while Anthony Harris of Mandingo (17:44.00) topped the men's over 50 class.
A.F
