Top local middle-distance athlete Clevland Forde finished first among the under-20’s and third overall in the just concluded Cara Suites, 10K Men’s Classic Road race in St. Lucia on Sunday.

According to Forde’s manager, Leslie Black, the 2003 Junior Carifta Games 5000-metre gold medalist defeated defending champion Curtis Cox of Trinidad and Tobago and returned 31 minutes, 40 seconds for the event which was won by an American in 30 minutes, 58 seconds.

The Caribbean’s leading marathon runner Palmenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent placed second in 31 minutes, 12 seconds.

Forde’s compatriots Lionel D’Anrade and Kelvin Johnson finished ninth and tenth respectively.

According to Black who accompanied Forde to St. Lucia, when the 60 starters were sent off, Cox, Ballantyne, the American, Forde, Johnson and D’Andrade were with the leading bunch of ten runners.

Half way through the race, Forde positioned himself behind Ballantyne who was being headed by the American.

With approximately one mile remaining, Cox overtook Forde but the Guyanese fought back and went ahead of Cox at the 800-metre mark, while Ballantyne was a mere 20 metres ahead of him (Forde) and the American a further 30 metres up front.

Black said Forde kept closing in on Ballantyne, but the Vincentian held on and crossed the line ahead of Forde.

“We were very confident of winning the race but we are satisfied with third overall,” Black told Stabroek Sport.

Black pointed out that the St. Lucia terrain is very hilly and that made the race tougher but Forde is pleased with his performance. “He (Forde) feels he can beat Ballantyne the next time they meet in a 10K event,” Black said. feel it was one of his (Forde) best races,” Black stated.

According to Black, Forde has been invited to participate in another road race in Martinique next month.

Black said himself and his family accompanied Forde to lend support which he feels is necessary if an athlete is to perform at his best.

Black would like to thank the following individuals and companies for their financial support, thereby making the trip to St. Lucia possible: New Line Aqua farm, Gafoor’s, Nigel’s Supermarket, M. Beepat and Son’s, Director of Sports Neil Kumar, Stabroek News and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company.