Athletics: Lionel Samarajeecva wins Nuwara Eliya Cross-Country Race

Lionel Samarajeeva of Central Province emerged champion for the fourth successive time at the National Cross country Race in Nuwara Eliyaon Saturday (7). 

This event is the first event of the 43rd National Sports Festival conducted by the Ministry of Sports. 

Ninety men and 54 women took part in the event from all provinces. In the women’s race Gayanthika Abeyratne of Southern Province was the winner of the women’s race. 

Lionel Samarajeeva took 33.00 minutes to complete the race while Gayanthika Abeyratne took 38.33 minutes. 

The men’s team championship and the women’s championship were won by Central Province. 

Western Province was the runners-up in both events. 

A World Cross-country race will be held in Uganda on March 26 and the results of the Nuwara Eliya Cross-Country race will be forwarded to the Sri Lanka Athletics Association to see whether Sri Lanka runners can compete in the Uganda race.