Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

THE 2007 High Mountain 10K is set to offer the biggest prize money in local road racing history.

There will be $100,000 each for the first male and female to cross the finish line in Williamsfield, Manchester, on January 28.

Apart from the prize money, which has been made possible through sponsors Windalco and Miphone, the winners will also take home prizes in their categories.

'King of the Road' Wainard Talbert, who has dominated the road for the past four years but has never won the High Mountain 10K, welcomed the increased prize money.

"Once the money is big, everybody is going to train hard for it ... put in extra mileage," Talbert said.

Talbert, who leads the male section of the 2006 Foska/ Jamdammers Road Race Grand Prix Series, added: "You are going to have lot of people turning up, much more than last year, because the money is big."

Overseas interest

Over the years, the event has attracted several overseas participants and, according to the organisers, several overseas participants are interested but have not confirmed yet.

One thing is for sure, Edmund Burke of Shore Athletics Club, New Jersey in the United States, won the last race in 31 minutes, 52 seconds ahead of Talbert (32:23) and will be back to defend his title.

Former Vere athlete, Stacey Bell, won the female section in 39:33 ahead of former champion Tamica Thomas of G.C. Foster (39:55) but is unlikely to defend her title because she is on a scholarship overseas.

'Queen of the Road', Manchester High's Natoya Goule, is yet to run the High Mountain 10K. She, however, took the 5K in 17 minutes, 54 seconds last year.