CUC 5k 2020

Excellent conditions this morning for the CUC 5k with cool temperatures and a gentle breeze seemed perfect for new personal best times, which was just as well as a number of the track stars were present in the hopes of boosting their confidence ahead of the Carfita trials next week, and a good performance today would be perfect timing.

The start-line looked good with the likes of Gregley Gayle, Wyatt Bodden, Levi Superville, Marius Acker and Juan Pablo Valerio looking fresh with Ava Hider hoping to defend the ladies title she won last year. The course had changed as it was a little long previously, so with gps devices the course was remeasured at least 4 times and was an accurate out-and-back 5k this year.

When it comes to helpers I am always the first person to thank volunteers for getting up early and giving their time for the good of others and if not for these people the races could not happen, and generally speaking they all do a great job as they did this morning. Unfortunately, the volunteers at the turn (Conch Point to Anderson Rd) did not appear to realise that their only responsibility was to point the leading runners in the right direction so they would not get lost and the chasing pack would follow suit; job done! That simple.  However, I am advised by the leading runners that the volunteers at this location just stood there and did nothing to guide or direct the leaders and consequently they kept on going to Rev Blackman Road and into the abyss – race ruined. The next runners just followed suit and until one of the volunteers switched on and [I am informed] started to call them back, but it was too late for the leading runners who were out of ear shot and kept going. If there is one thing that grips my colon is someone who either has no idea what they are doing, or are so oblivious to their surroundings that their actions or lack thereof end up ruining a race. After all the excellent work done by the staff of CUC and the CIAA it just took one simple thing to mess it up. I don’t know who you are and no doubt I will be unpopular for bringing this up, but come on, if you are going to get your backside out of bed and help, the least you can do is point runners in the right direction.

That said, the runners who were pointed in the right direction did not complain and quite unexpectedly it was Mike Beck who powered home in first place so well done to Mike. No doubt he will be looking for the volunteer to add him/her to his Christmas card list. Well done to Ava who won the ladies title again

Well done to all participants, especially those who ended running around 8-9k, and well done to CUCC/CIAA for organising a super fun event and hope to see y’all next year. 

Full results below