Arthur, McShine cop Schools 5k

CARLAN ARTHUR of Mucurapo Senior and Pilar McShine from Success-Laventille have captured the boys and girls titles respectively at the 2004 Guardian General Limited-sponsored Secondary Schools 5k Classic at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Arthur, the 2003 CARIFTA Games Under-20 1,500-metre gold medallist, outsprinted the 2002 winner Sandino Nero on the final stretch, on the Stadium’s Mondo Track, to claim victory in a time of 16 minutes and 47 seconds on Saturday. Nero, a student of San Juan Senior, was timed in 16.53 minutes with Jude White of Matelot Community College third in 17.27, and Dave Collins of Penal Junior fourth in 17.33. Kelvin Stafford of Toco Composite placed fifth in 17.42. Rounding off the top ten were Fidel Ramirez of Southern Community College (17.51), Neil Francois of Malick (17.54), Matelot’s Shurvon Jobe (18.06) and Shirvon Lincoln (18.24) and Fatima’s Garvin Nero (18.36).

McShine was unchallenged throughout the distance as she registered her fifth straight title in 17 minutes 56 seconds, well ahead of runner-up Shermain La Saldo of Excel Composite (19.07) and third-placed Kerticha John of Beetham Life Centre (19.09). Other top finishers were Kema McShine of Malick (19.20), Samantha Shukla of South East Port- of -Spain (19.24), Tonya Nero of ASJA Girls’ College (20.35), Fidellia Ramirez of Southern Community College (20.49) and Takayah Delpeche of Penal Junior (21.23). The route began behind the Stadium’s main stand and the athletes proceeded along the Maraval Parkway, Audrey Jeffers Highway, Wrightson Road, Luis Street and Ariapita Avenue before finishing on the Stadium’s Mondo Track. The 2004 GGL Secondary Schools National Athletic Festival will continue with the Schools Relays at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on February 18 and concludes with the Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships at the Mucurapo venue on March 17 and 18.