By Sharon Robb STAFF WRITER Posted February 27 2005
BOCA RATON · With no financial support from his country's
federation, Phillip Walkins' Olympic dream to represent the Bahamas
ended in 1996.
At 45, Walkins knows his fast times are
behind him, but it hasn't kept him from seeing just how close he can
get to his career bests.
The
former two-time member of the Bahamian national track team won his
second men's open title in two months Saturday at the 18th annual
Merrill Lynch 5K Bull Run For D.A.R.E. at Spanish River
Park.
Walkins regained his composure after a near-collision
at the turnaround with wheelchair racer Michael Davis to win the
men's 3.1-mile race in 15 minutes and 58 seconds. He outkicked early
leader Gary Gates, 40, of Jensen Beach, who finished second in 16:01
in his masters debut.
A field of nearly 600 runners followed
a canary yellow Lamborghini as the pace car. "Real clean exhaust,"
deadpanned Gates. "It could have given us a little more
room."
Anne Clinton, 22, of Richmond, Ind., and Pompano Beach
won the women's race in her South Florida debut in 18:28. Kim
Delaney of West Palm Beach was second in 18:39 and North Broward
Prep 16-year-old Kay Kay Carrington was third in 19:26.
Last
month Walkins won the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in West
Palm Beach in 16:03. The former speedster who ran 13:59 for 5K and
29:54 for 10K in his prime, said he is building up to a half
marathon or marathon by the end of April. He has completed three
marathons.
Born in Nassau, Walkins had his country's Olympic
qualifying standards but the federation had no funding for distance
runners. The emphasis was on sprinters.
"Now I look forward
to the Senior Olympics when I get to that age category," he
said.
Walkins helped coach the Douglas High School track team
two years ago but later decided to devote all his time to his own
training.
"I owe everything to God because he gives me the
strength to do what I do," said Walkins, who is coached by his wife.
"I stay healthy and I listen to my body. My 76-year-old mother
inspires me. She moves around faster than me.
"This year my
goal is to break into the 14s [for a 5K]. Where or when I don't
know."
Race proceeds benefited the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education school program. ...
The South Florida Guyanese
Association will host the 5K/10K Walk For Health and Education this
morning at Plantation Heritage Park. Registration is 8 a.m. The walk
is at 8:30 a.m. Part of the proceeds will go to the Guyana Flood
Relief fund.
RESULTS
MEN OPEN: 1. Phillip Walkins
15:58, 2. Gary Gates 16:01, 3. Duddits Cavell 16:17. WHEELCHAIR: 1.
Michael Davis 17:59. AGE GROUP: 10-and-under: 1. Jeffrey Tait 20:36,
2. Phillip Esterman 26:24, 3. Jack Levin 26:56; 11-14: 1. Sam
Steckroth 21:55, 2. Sam Esterman 22:33, 3. Dante Rosenberg 22:45;
15-19: 1. Mitch Guirard 17:38, 2. Tyler Torres 22:05, 3. Josh
Feiglman 24:24; 20-24: 1. Phillip Dangerfield 21:48, 2. Andrew
Bender 22:30, 3. Kevin Hurley 22:37; 25-29: 1. Earl Allen 21:19, 2.
Russell White 21:54, 3. Nate Hebert 23:38; 30-34: 1. Robert Keanes
17:23, 2. Kevin Cassidy 20:47, 3. Domingo Suarez 21:05; 35-39: 1.
Sergey Khomuton 16:52, 2. Jon Williams 17:45, 3. Seth Waller 18:17;
40-44: 1. Harrie Olsthoorn 17:19, 2. Helio Lessa 17:57, 3. Matt
Triggs 18:40; 45-49: 1. Gary Radford 17:30, 2. Joe Monks 18:26, 3.
James Crandall 18:59; 50-54: 1. Jeff Powers 18:25, 2. John Sunderman
20:32, 3. Vincent Fisk 22:08; 55-59: 1. Victor Beltran 20:14, 2. Sal
Barbera 22:51, 3. Ed Cochran 24:02; 60-64: 1. Al Shamoun 20:34, 2.
Wayne Boynton 20:55, 3. Stu Hoffman 26:16; 65-69: 1. Juergen Kuhlmey
23:24, 2. Ron Brant 23:33, 3. Tony DeNiro 24:06; 70-and-over: 1.
Geoffrey Etherington 22:38, 2. Antonio Blanco 24:40, 3. Tom Dye
24:41; CLYDESDALE: 1. Alan Tanner 21:38, 2. Pat Welsh 22:00, 3.
Maciej Rawlowski 22:41.
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