The road race train is chugging along smoothly for our administrative team, as our latest stop, the Tunapuna Week 5K, brought our brand of road racing to east Trinidad on Saturday morning.
The Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) were well prepared for its second staging of the annual race, centering fitness and community spirit at the heart of regional celebration.
As a part of the wider series of Tunapuna Week activities the 5k was pivotal, as it showcased the region’s developmental strides to residents as well as visitors to the event.
This road race featured a simple, efficient, and fast course layout. With no savannah grass or varying terrain to negotiate, runners were treated to a straight, clean route that would have had speed merchants rubbing their hands.
The race began at the Ulric “Buggy” Haynes Savannah, next to the Eddie Hart Grounds, before heading directly up the Priority Bus Route toward Tunapuna.
A swift turnaround just before Pasea Road set athletes on their path back to the finish, creating a course that appealed to both seasoned runners and newcomers alike.
The starter’s gun came at 6:30 a.m. as runners gathered in the early morning chill, eager for a shot at the $3,000 top prize.On the asphalt, Alex Ekesa finished in first place in 15:55.8. He was followed by Tafari Waldron clocking 16:14.4, and Darius Harding, who secured third in 16:31.5.
Rounding up the women’s podium was Aniqah Bailey who topped the field clocking 19:53.0, with Alexia John in tow clocking 20:05.7. April Francis completed the podium in 21:36.7.
It was an event for everyone too, as Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation chairman Josiah Austin also laced up his sneakers and got in on the action.“With the feedback from those who participated (last year) I knew that this was a special route,” he explained. “I had to participate… we were trying to promote health and wellness, especially from that starting location in Eddie Hart. We are happy that within two weeks time we were able to have this overwhelming turnout.”
This successful event was made possible through the continuous support of Bafasports’ and the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation’s valued partners: Subway, Dasani, Xtra Foods, Persad’s D’ Food King, Charles Chocolates, JTA Supermarkets,Powerade TT, NAMDEVCO, Theshoelaundry, Gatorade, Diabetes Association T&T, SUGAH Photobooths, Trinebox, True Bread, and Quaker Oats.
With momentum building, Bafasports now turns its attention to upcoming highlights on the calendar.
Next on the horizon is the Starbucks Coffee Run: Defeat the Dark 5K, along with the ongoing Million Mile Challenge, which invites runners nationwide to collectively log one million miles in the name of health and community spirit.
With each event, Bafasports continues to strengthen its mission of empowering communities, promoting wellness, and inspiring positive change, one stride at a time.
See you there for the Starbucks Coffee Run!
Results:
Male
1. Alex Ekesa 15:55.8
2. Tafari Waldron 16:14.4
3. Darius Harding 16:31.5
Female
1. Aniqah Bailey 19:53.0
2. Alexia John 20:05.7
3. April Francis 21:36.7
