Running to a Beat!
Carnival season is in full swing with a slew of fetes held over the weekend and on the horizon, and we decided we’d have a celebration of our own at the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday.
So, you know how we do it. Fresh kicks all laced, bibs collected, and polarised glasses was all the rage, as runners eagerly lined up at the start for the NCC Carnival 1K and 5K heading west at the QPS.
It wasn’t all about the running of course, but more on that later.
Tafari Waldron continued on the promise he has shown as a national junior as he dominated the field yet again in the flagship event, but there was more to it than that of course.
In typical fashion we spared at no expense to cater to all running and walking enthusiasts. As long as you don’t mind the late afternoon sun, and drenching in a pool of sweat as you neared the finish, there was a number of rewards for your efforts awaiting you as you were ushered into the Grand Stand.
Did Carnival Come Early?
Aerobathons, Moko Jumbies, tassa bands, Jenga, doubles, fresh fruit, hot and cold Starbucks coffee; the list of things that kept the vibes off the road flowing stretched around a corner.
The segue after the race was pretty seamless. Participants gathered themselves, collected their medals on their way into the event, and wasted no time in refueling as they posed for shots with their friends and family, and had a time of it.
Even the wait for prizes to be dished out was punctuated with action, as “Lil Kerry”, reigning Grenada Road March winner, made an appearance which got the crowd all going again.
Combine that with the Moko Jumbies, the mascots, and overall pageantry, and we’d say that both we and the NCC caputred that Carnival energy just right.
Now about the race.
Aerobic Focus, Familiar Result: Waldron tops Carnival 5K
Waldron was barely out of breath when he spoke to us minutes after the finish. It shouldn’t come as a surprise either, as the distance is somewhat of his specialty on the track, bagging back-to-back Carifta Games gold in the Boys U-20 5000m in 2023 and 2024; breaking the national record in the Carifta trials en route to defending his title in 2024.
“The race was tough because of the humidity after the rain,” Waldron added after the finish. “There was an incline to reach the Maraval roundabout… I led the whole way and I wanted to test my fitness today because I now started training more for the aerobic-type races. I just wanted to see how I would’ve felt in the last miles as I went for it in the first two miles.”
The earlier downpour didn’t halt his forward momentum though as he was in command from the get-go, clocking 15:05.8.
Darius Harding was second to the party in 15:45.5, with Molokalii Ricomas in third clocking 17:03.5. Alexia John was the first woman to cross the line, winning in 18:17.6, with Nyla Kerr coming in second clocking 19:7.7, and Akeila Skeete stopping the clock at 20:27.6 in third.
Earlier in the day of course the kids were out and about, with Ryan Lamkin making light work of his rivals winning the boys 8-12 1K in 3:42.5, while Farah Phillips 4:11.9 took home gold in the girls’ division, while Daniel de Freitas clocking 4:47.3, and Zarah Telesford 6:16.1, finished first in the respective boys’ and girl’s Under-7 divisions.
Team Work Makes the Dream Work!
The hotly-anticipated event was a joint venture between Bafasports and the NCC, but would not have been such a resounding success without the support of Subway, Dasani, Good N’ Natural, Phoenix Dental, Eve, Optometrists Today, Eve Pantry T&T, Powerade, Starbucks, Trinebox ,Bmobile, Caribbean Airlines, TRIBE Carnival, and Uwiano Recovery.
But we’re not done yet. January is almost finished, but Bafasports’ race calendar has only just started. The Midnight Race series will continue in March with the upcoming T&T Midnight 10k on Ariapita Avenue. All part of the Bafasports initiative for making running fun again, and to promote health and wellness.
Results:
Men
1. Tafari Waldron 15:05.8
2. Darius Harding 15:45.5
3. Molokalii Ricomas 17:03.5
Women
1. Alexia John 18:17.6
2. Nyla Kerr 19:7.7
3. Akeila Skeete 20:27.6
Boys 8-12 1K
1. Ryan Lamkin 3:42.5
2. Melchizedek White 3:48.3
3. Lemuel Douglas 3:52.1
Girls 8-12 1k
1. Farah Phillips 4:11.9
2. Amiyah Porter 4:17.8
3. Amiyah Torres 4:21.9
Boys 7 and Under 1K
1. Daniel de Freitas 4:47.3
2. Michael Junior Yeboah 5:03.7
3. Zekhai Jones 5:56.1
Girls 7 and Under 1K
1. Zarah Telesford 6:16.1
2. Milan Mondesir 6:28
3. Aashvi Mathura 6:35.7
