Most people typically are either rushing to buy roses and chocolates on February 14th, or gearing up to play Mas depending on how the Carnival season falls – this time there was an element of both as we squeezed in our Love Conquers Valentine’s Day Pop-Up at the Queen’s Park Savannah bright and early Carnival Saturday morning.
Up and at ’em!
At the crack of dawn on Carnival Saturday, the tradition for a lot of Trinis is to come off of the festivities the night before – it might be Soca Monarch depending on the era – or one of the slew of flagship events on Carnival Friday.
Kiddies Carnival and Panorama are usually the flavours of the day, and adding Valentine’s Day to the mix there was a full roster on hand for the families, limers, and couples.
Here at Bafasports, we thrive on a different twist, and Saturday it was you guessed it: more running with a twist.
Love and 5Ks…
In the race, Renoki Abbott cruised to a 22:32.6 finish with an almost two-minute cushion on Ryan Lewis, who crossed the line in 24:10, while nine-year-old Jaycon Jackson 24:37 came in third in the community division.
Neferta Khafra, who finished second in last month’s Phase II Pan Groove 5K, went one better, taking gold in 27:38.9, while her sister, Heqpera, was in hot pursuit in what turned out to be a sprint to the finish. Khafra (H) clocked in at 27:39.7 to seal second, while Chrisie Lagair rounded up the top three in third, with 28:35.6.
And of course in Bafasports style there was a unique twist to the race, as there were prizes for the first couple to cross the line on Valentine’s Day courtesy Starbucks. Asha and Lelord Sanmoogan shared their special moment, and the spoils when they crossed the line in 35:45.
The well-beaten path
This time around, we opted to keep the runners on the walkway around the QPS. Runners started at the top of Victoria Avenue, and made their way clockwise around the Magnificent Seven, to Queen’s Park East just after Belmont Circular Road, before making the their way back along the same path back to the inside of the Savannah opposite Victoria Avenue.
We’ll be back, trust us!
Bafasports will be back on the road after a short lull in the action, with the T&T Midnight Ariapita Run on the horizon on March 8.
The Midnight Series, as well as the Million Mile Campaign, is part of Bafasports’ goal to empower communities, promote wellness, and inspire positive change, one stride at a time.
Results
Men
- Renoki Abbott – 22:32.6
- Ryan Lewis – 24:10.0
- Jaycon Jackson – 24:37.0
Women
- Neferta Khafra – 27:38.9
- Heqpera Khafra – 27:39.7
- Chrisie Legair – 28:35.6
First Couple to Finish
Asha and Lelord Sanmoogan – 35:45