Liberty Games RaceWalking!
HYTEK finish line photo of Vayo, Lawrence and Bailey
Valatie, NY July 19, 2013
On the penultimate day of this year’s Liberty Games, the Track and Field competition drew to a close. The 5000m Race Walk, the longest event of the meet, took place in hot (85°F), humid, and sunny conditions. With more than 10 Athletes registered for the event, a full field of eight (8) toed the starting line. Two (2) of the competitors, Miriam Ramon and her daughter Carolina, came all the way from Ecuador to be a part of this growing and exciting competion. Miriam, a 4x South American Champion, is making a comeback and setting a positive example for her two (2) teenage daughters.
USATF Adirondack president Don Lawrence (in green), with youth racewalkers Paul Capuano, Sagan Leggett, and Priscilla Capuano.
Also competing was 17 year
old Sagan Leggett, a 63 second 400m runner who has been race walking less than a month! She will be travelling to Boston to attend the USA – Canada Juniors Meet in two (2) weeks. The teenage brother and sister duo of Paul and Pricilla Capuano braved the heat and both medaled for their efforts, while 18 year old Kem Bailey broke 30:00, despite the conditions.
USATF New York's Bill Vayo, and USATF Adirondack's Don Lawrence on the medal stand.
The men’s race was a clash between the USATF Race Walk Chairs neighboring associations. In one of the closest finishes in recent history, Bill Vayo (Pictured Left) from USATF (NY) pipped Don Lawrence from USATF (Adirondack) by 0.37 seconds after a furious last lap sprint. Race Walking at the Liberty Games is certainly growing, particularly with scholastic talent. We look eagerly forward to even more competitors in 2014!
Submitted by Bill Vayo
USATF-NY Race Walk Chair
TLG Race Walk Chair
