THIS ONE is for Deon Lendore.

Abilene Wildcats' April Francis declared this on Sunday morning after her victory in the 32nd Eastern Credit Union 5K event in St Joseph.

Francis trained alongside former national 400-metre runner Lendore at Abilene Wildcats.

Lendore, 29, died in a car accident in Texas in January.

Francis, who completed a hat-trick of titles (2018, 2019 and 2022) in the event, won the 5K women’s category in a time of 21 minutes and 40 seconds (21:40). The 5K event, the first since the pandemic, began at the St Mary’s Children’s Home in Tacarigua and ended close to the St Joseph Police Station. The race started 30 minutes late as the organisers had to wait on the police.

Kaya Rankine Beadle was second in 21:57 and Isis Gaskin rounded off the top three in 22:40.

“I felt amazing (about the win),” Francis said after the race.

“I have not ran in three years, so I was a bit nervous.”

Francis, 32, was satisfied that she ran faster than planned.

“I actually wanted to run 22 (minutes) and I surprised myself and ran 21, so that just motivate me even more that I still have it.”

On her relationship with Lendore, Francis said: “He was a member of our club…I had the opportunity of running with him, training with him.

"I told myself I would have dedicated this run to him.”

Francis wrote Deon Lendore's name behind her racing bib in memory of her former club-mate.

Nicholas Romany took gold in the men’s 5K category in 16:24, Donnell Francis grabbed silver in 16:51 and Phillip James was third in 16:55.

In the 15K event, athletes started at La Hoya Facility in St Joseph before making a loop at Five Rivers junction and ending at the St Joseph Police Station.

Collin Pereira was the winner in the men’s category in 54:47. Gavyn Nero finished second in 55:40 and Guyanese Kelvin Johnson ended third in 56:56.

Chantel Le Maitre grabbed top honours in the women’s category in 1:11:31, Shardie Mahabir finished second in 1:14:43 and Teresa Otero claimed third spot in 1:18:19.

Sunday’s event was Romany’s first road race in a “good while.”

On competing again, he said, “I feel real good. I was not training for a while because I had a little injury in my knee, so I trained for like three weeks. This is my fourth week, I taper down and that is what took me to the victory today.”

Romany was optimistic he would win despite not being as active in recent years.

“Not really (surprised with my performance). Based on the work I was doing I know what I could run. I was confident in myself, I am always confident.”

[caption id="attachment_957300" align="alignnone" width="768"] The winner of the Eastern Credit Union 5K event April Francis. - Jelani Beckles[/caption]

On her 15K victory, Le Maitre said, “You never know how these things will play out. You come out, you try to do your best and that was my goal today. I know I had to pace myself really well. I know on the turn would be a little challenging. I paced myself, tried not to go out too fast, but all the same not too slow either. I found my momentu

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