Top runners Alleyne Francique and Hazel-Ann Regis have received Grenada's most prestigious annual sports award. Francique, who retained the men's World Indoor 400 title last March in Russia and captured silver at the Commonwealth Games in Australia a few weeks later, has been named Sportsman Of The Year six consecutive years. The Texas-based runner received the honour at a ceremony Saturday evening in St George's, the capital. The 31-year-old grew up in Conference, a farming community about 20 miles (32 kilometres) northeast of the capital, and is considered the island's most accomplished and beloved athlete. Regis was a favourite to win the award after opening her 2007 indoor season with a second-place finish in the 200 metres at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow. She didn't attend the ceremony because of her competition schedule. Regis completed 2006 as the IAAF's 21st-ranked female athlete in the 400. The Louisiana-based runner won the Carolina Classics in Puerto Rico in May, and recorded a season-best 50.94 seconds at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead in June. The two runners won out of a field of 15 nominees. Reprinted from nationews.com