Publisher Vivian-Anne Gittens presenting Darwin Griffith with his prize after he won the Adult Elite Male category. (RC)

GIFTS GALORE were given to many of the 777 participants yesterday morning in the 17th Nation To Nation Fun Ride.

The men were strong, both in turnout and performance this year, with Russell Elcock being the first to cross the finish line.

He completed the route in less than 25 minutes.

Unfortunately, he was directed by police to the wrong finish line, but was still able to collect his prize of a RCA CD Boom Box in the Under-15 Male Short Route Division.

Rico Nurse and Javed Mounter followed – coming in second, winning a RCA CD Player with MP3, and third winning RCA CD player, respectively.

Several Under-15 Junior Male riders also took the long route and rode away with some great gifts.

Kristin Vanderpool came first and rode away on a brand new Chopper bicycle, while Khalile Boodhoo took second prize, a trophy and a RCA CD Boom Box. Jonathan Belgrave received a trophy and RCA CD player for finishing third.

As usual, the younger registered riders stole the show, with Tremaine Catwell crossing the finish line first, followed by Mario Elliot, then Donte Riley in the Under-7 Junior Male category.

And nine-year-old Ajani Miller stood out, not only for his time of 42:25 minutes, but for being
the only one to participate in his category –
Under 10 Males.

The Male Elite Division was won by Darwin Griffith who was awarded a digital camera; while Reginald Jones won the adult male category, with Geoffrey Bourne riding in second place.

But the females were not to be left out.

In the Under-15 Girls, Crystal Springer came first, and took home her trophy and a RCA Boom Box, while Dominique Charles left with a Coby CD player for second place. Ayana Charles took the Coby portable cassette player for placing third.

Under-7 females

Kayla Croney was the big winner in the Under-7 Junior Females category, breezing by the finish line.

Twins Keiyana and Keiyara Thornhill took the second and third prizes respectively.

Despite the presence of fewer registered women riders this year, they still did themselves proud.

Denise Crebbin took away the first prize trophy and a Premium Microwave Oven in the Adult Female category. Deidre Mayers came a close second, repeating her position from last year. Jamey Ronzone-St John was third.

Mayers received a Hamilton Beach Mixer and Ronzone-St John won a Conair Deluxe Foot Bath.

Fun Ride regular Christopher Gilkes, 20, won in the Physically Challenged Category once again. He was followed by Sean Cooke, while Nikkolai Clarke-Herbert came third. All three riders received RCA Boom Boxes.

But the Fun Ride was no fun without the fun categories, like the Most Unusual Bike, which was won by Alexander Barker, 8, and his dad, Andrew. They won a Proctor Silex Toaster Oven, an umbrella and Chefette Restaurant vouchers, while the
"suped-up" pink Ghost Rider, ridden by Curtis Kirby, took second place.

The Best Courts Concept went to by Rudy Beckles whose modified bike was surrounded by styrofoam, and featured a stirring wheel and door.

Decked out in an original designed NATION bike, Bryan Murray with what he called the "Nation Racing Development" won for Best Nation Concept.

Last year's youngest registered rider, one-year-old Delandro Best, won again, while Pearline Pile, 84, was the oldest rider.

The 80-strong Roamers won the Biggest Registered Group, while Golden Wheeler won Best Uniformed Group.

Once again the Best and Howard families won for the Largest Registered Family with 21 members, including Delandro. (TM)