Thursday, March 28, 2024

Williams edges namesake in close 5k

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While Elite Distance’s Raheem Skinner was a clear-cut winner in the Run Barbados 5K yesterday morning, his compatriot Elizabeth Williams had to settle for second best in the closest ever finish in the event’s history.
Coincidentally, it was another Williams who took first spot, with defending champion Sarah Williams of Britain just managing to hold off a stiff challenge from her namesake, although both runners were credited with the same time of 20:18.
Entering the final 100 metres, Sarah Williams looked set to romp home ahead of her younger rival.
But a determined effort by Elizabeth Williams saw her sprint from the traffic lights at Bay Street, and she remarkably caught up with the race leader just moments before they crossed the finish line.
Despite a courageous attempt, she was forced to settle for second position by the slimmest of margins.
“I passed her coming over the bridge and coming to the end I thought, good, I can’t hear anyone behind me.
“I eased up coming towards the line and then I saw her out of the corner of my eye and I put on a last spurt,” the eventual winner told NATIONSPORT in an interview.
She said that she usually took part in the event every year, although she also pointed out that she was still recovering from a thigh injury.
The winner of the men’s race was never in question, though, with Skinner comfortably easing home in 16:44, followed by Dario Grandison of Pacers Track Club in second in a time of 17:05. Grantley Adams’ Akeem Marshall, who won Saturday’s 3K, finished in third place (17:11).
“The race wasn’t that bad because I am accustomed to running this route so I just had to focus and stick to my plan,” Skinner, a 17-year-old student of Combermere, explained.
“My game plan was just to keep a constant pace and then pick up coming home, but I had to change it to accommodate the competitors.
“In the end, I ran a personal best time so I feel proud of myself.”
In the Digicel CEO Challenge, CrossFit IslandFit upended ten other teams, including defending champions Digicel, to capture the coveted title.
Second place went to Hipac Limited, while Team Gildan placed third.

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