Marabella came alive at dawn on December 13 as 1000 runners paced up for the Manny Ramjohn 79th Anniversary 5K, to honour one of Trinidad and Tobago’s greatest sporting pioneers.
We were proud to put this together at Manny Ramjohn Stadium, as he paved the way for running enhusiasts all over the 868. The event was a tribute to the long-distance runner who represented the red, white, and black at the 1948 London Olympic Games in the 5000m and 10,000m on the track.Â
Ramjohn had already made history two years earlier, becoming our first athlete to win gold at a major international meet with a winning 5000m run at the CAC Games.
That pioneering spirit defined his life beyond the track as well. After hanging up his spikes, Ramjohn devoted himself to social work and sport, efforts that earned him the Humming Bird Silver Medal and, fittingly, a stadium bearing his name, built for the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Legacy Continues
That legacy was brought full circle on race day as his daughter, Lisa Ramjohn, joined the field, lacing up with her father’s Humming Bird Medal proudly draped around her neck which emphasised the spirit of the event.
On the clay the first rays of the sun were barely peeking over the horizon when the starter’s horn blew, and at the end of it all, Tafari Waldron was the main man once again.
The distance runner copped gold with a 17:05 run, while Meteu Neter followed in second, with Trini Landman rounding out the men’s podium.
April Francis secured gold in the women’s division, finishing in 19:36, while Nakifa Punter, and Alesha Barber rounded up the female podium in second and third.
The celebration was made possible through the support of Bafasports’ valued partners, including Subway, Starbucks, Caribbean Airlines, Powerade, EVE Pantry, Dasani, SporTT, Phoenix Dental Rise and Smile Family Dental Clinic, Good N’ Natural, Regal Bmobile, and Trinebox, all of whom helped ensure the event matched the stature of the man it honoured.
More events to come!
The running is not over yet, as our racing calendar continues at pace with the upcoming Advent Calendar Challenge, the UWI Pelican Run, and the ongoing Million Mile Challenge, where runners across the country are collectively uploading their miles on the road to one million.
With each stride and every start line, We reaffirm our mission: to empower communities, promote wellness, and inspire positive change—one run at a time.
Results:
Male
- Tafari Waldron 17:05
- Meteu Neter 17:17
- Trini Landman 18:03
Female
- April Francis 19:36
- Nakifa Punter 22:41
- Alesha Barber 24:37
