media_artricles :: 2016

Secondary Schools Cross Country takes place today

THE 2016/2017 National Secondary Schools Athletic Season gets underway with Cross Country Championships and Health Fair set for the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain today from 2 pm.

Close to 300 students from Government and Private Secondary schools across the country are anticipated to participate in the event.

The athletes will compete in two races - four kilometres and six kilometres.

The 4K, for Under-14 and Under-16 participants, will get underway at 2 pm while the 6K (Under-18 and Over-18) is set for 3 pm.

Reigning 6K champions Joshua James (Valencia Secondary) and Donicia Antoine (Toco Secondary) are expected to defend their titles.

James copped the boys title in 2015 in 16 minutes 18 seconds ahead of Otis Baker (Toco Secondary), 16:19 and Joshua Ho (Trinity College) 16.21 in a close race. Antoine ran away with the girls race (19:54) well in front of Renata Charles (Bishop Anstey) 20.27 and Mickayla Ottley (Toco Secondary) 23.57.

The Health Fair will feature free health checks, informative presentations and display booths.

The Cross Country Championships and Health Fair is organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Track and Field Association (TTSSTFA) and is sponsored by the Ministry of Education.

President of the Association Philip Allard is hoping for a successful event and wish all the students and schools best wishes. He added that he was happy with the interest shown in the Health Fair.

"Last year we had a good response to the Health Fair and that is why we are continuing this year." Allard, in reflection on the 2015/2016 season said the year was a good with the TTSSTFA signing of a broadcast contract for the next year's Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships with Digicel Sportmax as a major accomplishment.

He added that he is hoping his association will not encounter the challenges of 2015 in securing the use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium for the 2017 Championships.

Following today's Cross Country Championships, the Secondary Schools 5K will be staged on November 20 in Marabella. The Schools Relays Festival (February 16) and the National Championships (April 27 and 28) are the other major events on the TT Secondary Schools Track and Field calendar.

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