Richard Henry - contributed

Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

A surprising victory could turn out to be the start of a track career for 21-year-old McKay Security employee, Richard Henry, who won the Corporate Division and placed fourth overall at the recent Pan Caribbean Financial Services Sigma 5K.

Henry, who had never before participated in an organised race, clocked 18 minutes and 30 seconds to place fourth overall behind Kingston College sixth-former Dwayne Powell, who won the event in 17 minutes and 28 seconds.

Horace Burrey was second in 17.53 and Colin Graham third with 18.09.

The top two finishers competed in the event last year and had finished fifth and third respectively but for Henry it was a first.

"I was training with the Combined Martial Arts Team and did very well in a three-mile run," explained Henry, who competes as a yellow belt on the local tae-kwon-do circuit.

"The captain, Jason McKay, said I would do well in the Sigma race and I was entered to represent McKay Security."

The first-time runner Henry tried to make all and shot to the lead from the start at Burger King, Knutsford Boulevard.

He led on to Trafalgar Road, up Waterloo Road, left on to West King's House Road and down Constant Spring Road where he said he was only relegated near the Island Grill outlet inside Twin Gates Plaza.

"If I was a bit more experienced I would have saved some energy," Henry said in hindsight.

Nevertheless, he still did well enough as he held on to fourth with almost a half of the distance left to travel down Constant Spring Road, Half-Way Tree Road, left onto Oxford Road and back to Knutsford Boulevard, where the race ended adjacent the Pegasus Hotel.

The experience has opened new doors for Henry, who is seriously considering taking up long distance running alongside tae-kwon-do.

"I would love to get into it, long distance running," he said.

Years ago, while attending the Leap Centre on Duke Street in downtown, Kingston, he attended a time trial at Up Park Camp, hoping to win a scholarship to a traditional high school, but he was not in possession of a birth certificate to prove his age.

He hopes the Sigma 5K will be his second chance.

The coaching staff at Jamaica Tae-Kwon-Do and McKay Security are examining options to pursue professional training for Henry.