By Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterLINTON McKenzie and Tamica Thomas walked away with the male and female Jamdammers Grand Prix titles respectively following impressive runs at the final event of the five-race series, the Burger King 10K, held in Portmore, St. Catherine on Sunday.
Thomas, a student at Tacius Golding High school, won the female section in 40:38.00 to end the season on 103 points along with her $15,000 prize money, while Windalco's McKenzie, who lost to Michael Tomlin in the last two races placed second in 32:32 to end with 101 points and $15,000 for his effort.
Thomas, a fourth form student, said she was very confident going into the race.
"Today's race wasn't difficult at all, last week's race (Hugo Chambers 10K) was more challenging than this one," said the 16-year-old, who pocketed $29,500 in cash on Sunday.
She took home four prizes, they are future champion (Under-19), Grand Prix overall champion, category champion (age 15-19) and Burger King 10K champion.
Jason Elleson of Porus High (83 points), Wainard Talbert (79), Andrew Gutzmore (74) and Phillip Edward (70) finished among the male top five, while Jodey Johnson (91), Vanessa Whittle (83), Lorain McKenzie (76) and Arieta Martin (75) finished behind female winner Thomas. Second and third place finishers picked up $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
The future champions male (age 19 & under) went to Jason Elleson (83 points), Wainard Talbert (79) and Lamar Edwards (64) were also among the money, while Thomas, Jodey Johnson and Vanessa Whittle were the female top three finishers. The prize money were $7500, $5000 and $2500 respectively.
McKenzie (40 points), again came out on top of the Masters section, this ahead of Kenneth Duffus (30), Oral Anderson (18) and Owen Greaves (12), while the lone female runner, Lorna Williams ended with 40. Prize money of $3000, $2000 and $1000 respectively was awarded to the top three runners.
Meanwhile, Michael Tomlin (32:08.06) and Thomas (40:38.06) were the male and female winners of the Burger King 10K respectively. Both winners took home $5000 for their efforts.
Among the male top five were Linton McKenzie (33:32.00), Jason Elleson of Porus High (33:53.00), Ebony's Andrew Gutzmore (34:12.00) and Lamar Edwards of Tacius Golding (34:26.00), while Edwin Allen's pair of Jodian Richards (41:35.00) and Lorain McKenzie (41:39.00), Arieta Martin of Ebony (42:34.00) and Tacius Golding's Venessa Whittle (42:51.00) rounded off the female top five.
