Franco building up North Leeward

Athletes throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and those in North Leeward in particular are looking forward to October 16.

That’s when the Franco Construction North Leeward Road Classic is staged. One aspect of that event will be an open 10K race from the Bridge at Mangaroo on the North Leeward highway to Beach Front Restaurant at Fitz Hughes. {{more}}

A wide field is anticipated. The winner takes home $1,000.

There is $600 for second, $400 for third and $200 for fourth. Chairman of Team Athletics SVG Road Races Committee Leroy Llewellyn outlined plans for the race last Monday. He was speaking at a ceremony staged at Olympic House where Sylvanus Francis, Franco Construction Plant Manager and Bradley Francis engineer in charge of Phase One of the Cross Country Road from Troumaca to Rose Hall handed over sponsorship for the North Leeward Independence 10K.

Students under 15 years old will be on track in a 5K also ending at Beach Front Restaurant.

Invitation has been extended to all the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as well as from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago for the open category.

Llewellyn praised North Leeward for their participation in road races over the years. He however lamented the decline of Clubs.

Llewellyn viewed the Franco Construction North Leeward Road Classic as helping with rekindling of athletics.

He expressed satisfaction with the interest of schools.

Franco Construction limited came in for commendations for their ready response to sponsorship especially in North Leeward.

Llewellyn is looking forward to the staging of a Road Race to mark the opening of the Cross Country Road. He anticipates the link will strengthen between Team Athletics SVG and Franco Construction. A North Leeward Committee which includes Julius Anthony, Stuart ‘Rudy’ Louie, Esron Thompson, and Caswin Prince has been formed.

President of Team Athletics SVG Keith Joseph was delighted that Franco Construction had joined the race to improve athletics. He echoed Llewellyn’s comments of North Leeward’s involvement in road racing, and endorsed the area as a “bastion.” He paid tribute to the Dingleys, a Voluntary Services Overseas couple that had a role in reactivating athletics in North Leeward.