Gordon, Beckford top Mico Pump It Up 5K

The GC Foster College duo of Garfield Gordon and Kelly-Ann Beckford continued their impressive form on the road this season as both were crowned male and female champions at Sunday's third staging of the Mico Pump It Up 5K road race, which started and ended on the school campus on Marescaux Road.

Both were coming off success the previous week when they topped the CB UWI 5K event.

Gordon stopped the clock at 15:15.15 to win ahead of the Kingston College duo of Tanny Arons (16:47.43) and Gianna Henry (16:48.91). Beckford's winning time was 20:28.34 as Hydel High's Marchell Pearce (20:52.07) took second ahead of her teammate Jodian Campbell (20:53.12), who ended third.

On a very cool Sunday morning, Gordon produced a dominating performance, turning the event into a one-man race, stamping his class for a runaway win.

Gordon said he was very impressed with his time despite not getting the expected competition he was hoping for.

"It was a very good route. It was very flat, so I just came out there to use the situation as a training purpose, and I used the opportunity to improve on the time I did two years ago when I came second. I did that and I am happy," said Gordon.

It has also been a wonderful season for new kid on the block Beckford, as the former Albert High School athlete has been making a name for herself on the road this season. After her success the previous Sunday, Beckford shared that she was not surprised with her fourth win of the season.

"My season has been great so far, and winning today (Sunday) ) was no surprise to me as I expected it. My time was a bit slow, though, but I am not surprised because I missed a few training sessions during the week," said Beckford, who like her teammate, Gordon is looking forward to this Sunday's GC Foster 5K event.

Chairman of the race committee Ian Forbes was satisfied with the event's third staging and lauded members of the committee for their excellent planning.

"I am very impressed with this year's staging of the event as I think the organisation was great and the execution on the day was brilliant. The turnout was pretty good, but we are working to build those numbers, and come next year, we are pretty certain the numbers will go up. All in all, it was professionally done, and that was a decent winning time by the overall winner," said Forbes.