This
morning saw the first day of competition for the athletics at the
Micronesian Games in Koror, Palau. Sixteen men and women took off
under sunny skies in the gruelling 10 kilometre road run.
Guam's
Derek Mandell showed his class from the outset of the race and was
never challenged for the gold medal. Derek took the event out in a
time of 37:48.44. The oldest man in the field, Rendelius Germinaro
from Pohnpei showed bronze medalist Toby Castro a clean set of heals
when he took out the silver medal in a time of 38:30.67 from Toby in a
time of 39:39.58.
In the women's race it was Northern Mariana
Islands athlete, Mamiko Oshima-Berger who posted a time of 46:09.40 to
take out the gold, while Guam had to settle for the minor placings.
Nicole Layson ran a time of 47:21.29 to take the silver medal from team
mate, Sheena Subido who ran 54:53.70.
All athletes agreed that
the slight hill at the start of the race let their legs know that the
race was going to be tough. By the time the athletes had turned for
home the heat had set in and there was little shade for the athletes to
hide behind.
A number of first-time officials were at the track
this morning to assist and there is no doubt that they enjoyed the
event enough to head back this afternoon for the first track and field
events. This afternoon's events will include the women's pentathlon
and the first day of competition in the men's octathlon.
Results from this morning's road race and a timetable of this afternoon's events can be found by clicking here.
Last Modified on 04/08/2010 20:40