Walagedara SC and Path SC share honours at 5km Beach Run

Walagedasa SC and Path SC shared major honours at the 5Km Beach Run conducted by the Kalutara District Athletics Association at Panadura Beach on Sunday.While Walagedara SC won the Under 20 boys’ team title and the Open Men’s team title, Path SC athletes of ‘Path to Success’ training programme clinched the Under 20 girls’ team title and the runner up positions of the Under 20 boys’ and Open men’s events.

Kavindu Madushan of Walagedara SC came first in the Under 20 boys’ 5km race. While Kavishka Hansana of Path SC won the second place, Anjana Kalhara was placed third in the Under 20 boys’ event.

Tharushi Madara and Mayurika Manel won the first and the second places respectively in the Under 20 girls’ 5km race, while 15-year-old Ranuri Sammani of Path SC clinched the third place.

M. Sachendra and Anushka Fernando were the winner and the runner-up in the Open men’s event, while D.G.D. Sandaruwan was placed third.In the Open women’s event, Army’s Sandarenu Fernando and Iresha Kumudukumari shared the first and second places. D.D. Kalupahana was placed third in that category.

The Kalutara District Athletics Association conducted the 5km Beach Run as their premier athletics event of the year with a view to promote Panadura beach as an ideal venue for off season events. “I would like to see top national athletes using Panadura beach for their off season beach training,” said Gen. Palitha Fernando, the president of Sri Lanka Athletics. Fernando is also the president of the Kalutara District Athletics Association.

Path SC, the winners of the Under 20 girls’ team event with their award.

Ranuri Sammani who led Path SC to victory in the Under 20 girls’ team event receiving her individual award from G.L.S. Perera, who represented Sri Lanka Athletics at the Beach Run

Kavindu Madushan (front right) of Walagedasa SC and Kavishka Hansana (front left) of Path SC, the winner and the runner-up of the Under 20 boys’ event lead the 5km beach run conducted by the Kalutara District Athletics Association at Panadura

Victorious Path SC teams (Under 20 girls’, Under 20 boys’ and Open men’s ) pose for The Island. (From left) Achini Madushani, Ranuri Sammani, Nethmi Dileka, Sahanya Nethmini, Gree Senze, Ishara Nilushan, Owens Fernando, Kavishka Hansana, Dilindu Lakshan, Pasan Randima, Udara Abilasha, Nesanda Pasidul, Hashen Prabodh, Yoshitha Yasas, Pasindu Niroshan and Navithu Nimsath.

(Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)