Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Left: Natoya Goule of Manchester High.   Right: Wainard Talbert of Lion Heart Track Club

In what turned out to be the closest Grand Prix Series ever, champion, Wainard Talbert, of Lion Heart Track Club, again faltered at the final hurdle, but held on to take the title by a point.

At Sunday's final race of the 2006 Foska Oats and Jamdammers Grand Prix Series, the Burger King 10K, Bellefield High School's 16-year-old Kemony Campbell defeated Talbert, but the latter held on by a whisker for the grand prix.

Campbell, who trailed Talbert for the entire season, said he achieved his goal.

"I came here to win it (Burger King 10K) and I did, so that's just about it," he said.

Campbell won the race in 31 minutes and 59 seconds, while Talbert, who is still without a win from six attempts in Portmore, finished eighth in 34 minutes and 23 seconds.

At the end of the four-race series, Talbert finished with 76 points, one ahead of Campbell (75), and Andre Drummond of UTech (74).

Jamaica Defence Force's (JDF) Phillip Edwards (32:16), last year's winner, was second on Sunday; Conroy Crossman, of Edwin Allen High School (33.15) was fourth while veteran, Linton McKenzie (33:32), was sixth.

Talbert picked up $20,000 for winning the series, while Campbell took back $40,000 to his school. He finished second overall, won the Feature Champion section and Sunday's race.

In the female section, Manchester High's Natoya Goule continued to dominate by winning all four races.

Unbeaten in three seasons, on the road, Goule stopped the clock in 37 minutes and 55 seconds. She won for her school $45,000, which includes the overall prize, Feature Champion and winnings from Sunday's race.

Goule said she was "very comfortable in the race" as the conditions were ideal for running.

Tamica Thomas of G.C. Foster College (39:04), was second; her schoolmate, Areita Martin (39:33.9) was third, and Tanice Barnett (39:33.5) finished fourth.