Lawrence Mendez approaches the finish line in last Sunday's Holland Bamboo 5K in St. Elizabeth. and Karlene Blagrove on her way to victory in last Sunday's Holland Bamboo 5K. - PHOTOS BY ANTHONY FOSTHER

DESPITE THE the small field that turned out for last Sunday's Holland Bamboo 5K road race - a part of the St Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation's celebration, the organisers said it was a huge success.

Keith Russell Brown said the event, which was off the calendar for a few years, was reintroduced to "sensitise the parish that we hope to come back on a regular basis".

"We are attempting to revitalise and reintroduce this particular event, which was initially scheduled for the end of November-early December, but we couldn't hold it because of some conflicting interests É so we did not want to just ignore the event," Russell Brown said.

Less than 20 athletes, mostly from the MoBay Comets, took part in last Sunday's event which started west of Holland.

However, Russell Brown, said: "I think because it was out of season, some of the groundwork in terms of information and registration got out a little late".

Lawrence Mendez of MoBay Comets and Karlene Blagrove won the male and female sections.

Mendez won the men's section in 16 minutes, 01 seconds ahead of Andrew Gutzmore of Ebony Seek (16:08.00) and Anton Brown (18:17.00).

Blagrove took the female title in 19 minutes, 30 seconds ahead of Areita Martin of Ebony Seek (21:03.00) and Terriann Williams of MoBay Comets (23:06.00).