Y A Nuwan Dulantha of Colombo and G G Manomi Kumari of Ampara took the men’s and women’s cycling titles at the 24th National Youth Sports Festival on Saturday. The Cycling, Race walking and Marathon events were worked off at Matara over the week end.

The Men’s cycling race covered a distance of 102.6 kilometers commencing opposite the Jayasuriya grounds in Matara and passing through Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Kirinda Puhulwella, Hakmana, Denagama, Walasmulla, Weeraketiya, Thangalla, Dickwella, Gandara , Devinuwara and finished opposite the Jayasuriya grounds. About 80 cyclists faced the starter and the majority stuck together until Tangalla. With 40 kilometers to go the leading five broke away from the pack and held their lead till the end.

The women’s race which was 50.6 kilometers started at the Jayasuriya grounds and passed through Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Kirinda Puhulwella, Yatiyana, Hakmana and finished at Matara. 12 cyclists faced the starter in the women’s event and Manomi Kumari led from the start.

A A D S Madhusanka of Kaluthara won the marathon event for men covering a distance of 42.195 kilometers in a time of 2 hours 44 minutes and one second. W M B Ruwani Nisansal covered the 21.0975 kilometer course in one hour twenty six minutes and forty five seconds to take first place. D M Maheshika Madushani was second with a time of 1:29.19. The delayed start resulted in the competitors having to endure the hot sun at the end.

Cycling - men’s

1. Y A Nuwan Dulantha - Colombo, 2.K G A Priyantha Jayalal- Hambanthota, 3.Ranjeewa Perera - Colombo

Cycling – women’s

1. G G Manomi Kumari -Ampara, 2. Ishara Nilmini – Anuradhapura, 3.A M Dinesha Dilrukshi - Puttlam

Race walking – men’s (over 20 years)

1. M D Sampath -Matara, 2. K P Dhanushka Sampath -Galle, 3. K G S K Abeyrathna-Kurunegala

Race walking – men’s (under 20 years)

1. S Chathuranga -Matara, 2.D W Pradeep Madhusanka- Hambanthota, 3.B L M Kumara - Monaragala

Race walking – women’s (above 20 years)

1. T H Dinusha -Galle, 2. S P Malkanthi Deshapriya – Hambanthota, 3.AM Indira Priyadarshani-Monaragala

Race walking – women’s (under 20 years)

1. P B Gayana -Matara, 2.P P Ayanthi Jayawickrema-Kurunegala, 3. J K M M Dhamayanthi -Monaragala

Marathon (men)

1. A A D S Madhusanka - Kaluthara 2:44.01, 2. G A R Wasantha Kumara – Galle, 3. R M A Y Iranga Rathnayaka -Badulla

Marathon (women)

1. W M B Ruwani Nisansala- Puttlam 1:26.45, 2. D M Maheshika Madushani - Kurunegala 1:29.19, 3. A M Disna - Badulla 1:32.24