Cleveland Forde winning with ease yesterday. (Lawrence Fanfair photo).

Two records were smashed yesterday when the Minis-

try of Education/Guyana Teachers Union/Banks Malta National Schools Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships got underway at Enmore, East Coast Demerara.

According to official results, Junior Carifta Games 5000-metre gold medallist Cleveland Forde of District 11 (North Georgetown) returned 31 minutes 38.17 seconds (31:38.17) in winning the boys open 10K while District 9 (Rupununi) athlete Marvaline Antone clocked 18:22.80 to win the girls open 5K.

In winning, Forde broke the 33:20 record he had set when the games were last held at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary in 2002, while Antone on her first visit to this part of the country broke the 20:02.6 set by Roxanne Pratt in 2001.

District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) on the other hand registered 281 points to regain the swimming title from District 11 (North Georgetown) who only managed to accumulate 217 points for third. Second place went to District 12 (East George-town) which recorded 235 points.
Upper Demerara/Kwakwani's Jorge Emerson approach the finish line ahead of East Georgetown's Alonzo Greaves and Shane Boodhram in the 40K cycle road race of the Ministry of Education/Guyana Teachers Union/Banks Malta's, national Schools' Track and Field, C

In the cycling championships, Jorge Emerson of District 10 crossed the finish line first in the boys open 40K. He clocked 1 hour 02 minutes 36.08 seconds to win from East Georgetown's (District 12) Alonzo Greaves and District 13 (South Georgetown) Shane Boodhram.

In the female open 25K cycle road race, District 10's Ouiah Oselmo won in a time of one hour 47 minutes 52.15 seconds. Second was District 6 (Corentyne) Altia Logan and third District 13 (South Georgetown) Shebina Daniels.

Rupununi's Clinton Antone and District 10's Shawn Sandiford recorded 32:33.54 and 32:49.80 respectively to also break Forde's 2002 record of 33.20 in placing second and third.

District 4 (East Coast Demerara) Jimel Trotman placed fourth while Cleon Leacock of District 5 (West Coast Berbice) ended fifth.

National athlete Delcie Dick of District 11 placed second to Marvaline Antone in the girls open 5K. She returned 18:40.14 to also better Pratt's 2001 record while another national junior athlete Leanna Doris of District 14 (East Bank Demerara) placed third in 19:59.30.

Marvaline Antone told Stabroek Sport this is the first time she is participating in the national championships and she hopes to do even better in the other three events she is listed to contest on the track.

She also said she started her athletic career in the Rupununi, running every morning and afternoon around the play field with her brother Clinton.

The 15-year-old Marvaline and her 17-year-old brother Clinton are students of Maruranav Primary School. Marvaline started her athletic career two years ago while Clinton started his four years ago.

Marvaline will be in action once again today when she contests the girls under-17 3000-metre.

Rupununi is being represented by a 40-member team and according to manager Rodrick George, the team will do well once again this year.

George is also the headmaster of Sawariwau Primary School.

District 7 (Bartica) placed fourth in the swimming championships while District 14 (East Bank Demerara) placed fifth.

The championships will continue today at the Enmore Community Centre ground with several cycle and track races.