The 2022 NACAC (North America Central America Caribbean) Open Championships are underway in Freeport, Grand Bahama (BAH).
The two running races over the 20,000m distance on the track took place this morning at 6:30 local time (12:30 CET) with simultaneous departure for men and women.
20.000m track walk men
There were eight athletes at the start representing Guatemala, Canada, Mexico, USA and Cuba
Lead the race at 10,000m. Erick Bernabé Barrondo (GUA) in 42:28.69
Behind him the group of pursuers led by compatriot Jose Eduardo Flores Ortiz (GUA) in 42:45.50 and with Evan Dunfee
Barrondo remains in the lead up to 10.800m when he is joined by Jose Eduardo Flores Ortiz and Jordan Crawford (USA) who passes in 46:17.86. But immediately behind them is Evan Dunfee (46:18.24).
The next lap the Canadian takes command of the race and remains in the lead up to 13,600m (58:41.12) when Jose Eduardo Flores Ortiz (GUA) takes the lead again and will remain there until the end.
Victory to Jose Eduardo Flores Ortiz (GUA) in 1:26:21.08
Second place to Evan Dunfee (CAN) in 1:27:17.91
Third place went to Erick Bernabé Barrondo (GUA) in 1:28:32.19
20.000m track walk women
In the women's race only six athletes showed up at the start.
The battle for victory was much more interesting, with Mirna Sucely Ortiz Flores (GUA) and Robyn Stevens (USA) fighting to the very end.
The American remained in the lead from the 1st lap until the 41st (16,400m) when she was joined by the athlete from Guatemala.
During the next lap (16,800m) Mirna Sucely Ortiz Flores takes the lead (1:23:50.74) and a few meters off Robyn Stevens, who, however, lap after lap always loses a few seconds until at the finish he accuses a gap of 42.38/100.
Victory to Mirna Sucely Ortiz Flores (GUA) in 1:40:04.78
Second place to Robyn Stevens (USA) in 1:40:47.16
Third place went to Maria Michta-Ciffey (USA) in 1:42:14.32