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Manchester road race thrills locals, visitors

Published:Saturday | February 12, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Timothy Scarlett, managing director of Power Services Ltd, one of the sponsors of the High Mountain Coffee 10K, presents the winning trophy to American Carol Jefferson who won the female 10K.
From left: Entertainers Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Ibar joke with Jackie Minott, long-standing chairman and sponsor of the High Mountain Coffee 10K as well as Charlie Fuller, one of the event's key meet officials.- photos contributed
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Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

WILLIAMSFIELD, Manchester: THE HIGH Mountain 10K road race is Manchester's biggest sporting event and a favourite for the communities of Williamsfield, Kendal, Shooters Hill and Content.

There is even a carnival-like atmosphere at the finish line at the original roundabout in Williamsfield. Here, blaring music, jerk pans, peanut vendors, ice cream, and the activities at the bars are a signal that a big event is happening in the area.

However, it is the participation of overseas contingents that adds flavour and colour to the fanfare. The people seem to enjoy the rivalry. So it was not unusual and yet pleasing to the ear to hear fans along the Kendal route shout "go whitey ... go whitey" to American Bobby Cannon as he threatened to make a run past the eventual winner Rupert Green at the 5K mark.

biggest cheers

The biggest cheers throughout the route, however, was reserved for compatriot Edmund Burke. In many ways, he is the face of the meet. At 42, he is clearly no longer in the shape to challenge his more younger rivals, but he still managed to place ninth in a time which was better than his fourth-place finish last year behind the new local sensation, Kemoy Campbell.

Cannon who finished second, and is likely to be among the locals fiercest test next time around, is just as endearing, giving the organisers kudos, and comparing the meet favourably with those he regularly competes in abroad as a member of the Shore Athletic Club in New Jersey.

"Here, it's amazing," he says. "It's one of the best races compared to the US; they work so hard to make it great. Some races in New Jersey are not so great."