Asian Junior Championship medallist Tharushi Karunaratne led the way for Ratnayake Central, Walala to annex the overall girls’ title at the Ritzbury John Tarbat Relay Carnival concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Monday (26).
Maris Stella College, Negombo returned to winning ways after a lapse of several years to clinch the overall boys’ title after dominating the sprint events including two age categories 4x400 metres relays to beat their closest rivals Trinity College by 35 points.
The girls’ team from Ratnayake Central, Walala had a victory margin of 23 points. They won all six relays from 4x100 metres to long distance medley in the under-20 girls’ category.
Karunaratne, who has secured a place in the national team for several international events, played the key role in their success.
Ratnayake Central was a little unlucky in the boys’ category as a dropped baton in the medley relay cost them a possible overall boys’ runner-up title.
The under-16 relay quartet of Maris Stella, Sesath Ranthisa, Dilanka Devinda, Dineth Sandeepana and Sahas Fonseka, won the 4x400 metres relay while Arosh Shakya, Tishan Nethmina, Chanuka Vithana and Mark Roshen combined to clinch the gold in the under-18 boys’ 4x400 metres relay as their school enjoyed trophy success at national level after five years.
For Trinity too, the boys’ runner-up title was their first at an all-island athletics championship in many years. (TBR)