It goes without saying that the run out on Ariapita Avenue on Sunday morning was quite the rage.
The big guns came and made their statement, of course. Nicholas Romany, Tafari Waldron, and Darius Harding put in another shift on the asphalt, each taking their place on the podium after the race. Alexia John, Aniqah Bailey, and April Francis were the top three for the ladies.
Where Elites and Everyday Runners Meet the Midnight Road
But there was more going on than just podium finishes, cash prizes, and elite athlete performances.
Saturday nights on the Avenue are no stranger to fanfare, as west Port of Spain comes alive every weekend with limers lining up outside their bar or lounge of choice.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, things were in full swing as usual on the Avenue—only this time, it hit a little different.
“We had a lot of attention, obviously, as I said, because everybody was wanting to know what was going on this hour of the night.” explained Waldron after the race. “So it had (sic) a good bit of company. It had a lot of people who were with Subway cheering on. You know, it had a good little vibe to it that kind of helped us push along the way.”
With the cones, the boots, and the police presence along the stretch, there was plenty of room to create the spectator feel that endurance races typically produce on nights like Sunday.
It was more than just another 10K race—it was a proper experience.
Depending on who you ask, that experience would vary widely, as the Bafasports flagship events attract far more than just elite runners. The field is typically a cross-section of the local running community, bringing together enthusiasts of all stripes.
And of course, when the last pair of sneakers squeak across the line, the customary post-race refuel of doubles, fresh fruit, coffee, among other refreshements was on tap at the athlete’s village.
Among the 1,200 participants was Derrick McIntyre, who at 88 years old completed the race to rapturous applause. McIntyre was also the oldest finisher at the 2023 Trinidad and Tobago Marathon when he was 84—proof that age is very much what we make it.
Then there are the hobbyists, where runners exist across every level of the spectrum: from leisurely walkers who simply enjoy being out on the road, to fitness buffs knocking on the door of national standard, or simply chasing their own health and wellness goals.
We spoke to several participants during the event, and it quickly became clear that the T&T Midnight 10K Ariapita had something for everybody.
For the podium finishers, however, the night’s run fit neatly into a much bigger plan.
Different flavours: Word from the runners who came out
“So, basically, what we’re working on right now is getting down our 1500 time, so that we can make the standard.” Romany said after the race.
“Once you run on the track and you make the standard for CAC or Commonwealth, you automatically get picked and you’ll be on the team to go to Scotland for Commonwealth. So, the standard we’re aiming for right now is 3:46 in 1500. That’s what we’re working on right now.
“But, you know, to get that time, you have to work on your 800 speed. So, we’re more doing, like, lactic workouts and shorter reps. So, we’re not really training for the longer distance. So, we would struggle a bit in the longer distances. But, you know, we’re still strong because of the mileage we put in. So, we’re able to come out here and dominate in the 10K.”
For Romany and the other podium finishers, the miles on Ariapita Avenue were simply another step on the road toward the CAC Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Still, despite the business-as-usual approach of the national runners, there was time to appreciate the event for what it was—as Waldron had already summed up earlier in typically laid-back fashion.
“It was good, no worries.”
No one left behind!
The community spirit that Bafasports hoped to cultivate when launching these events also came through clearly among members of the Miles and Medals running group.
Anton Williams and Llana Bicano made that point in the build-up to the race.
“Nobody remains behind… whoever finishes first, they go back for the others in the back.” Williams mentioned just five minutes before the horn sounded.
The group typically run together in 5Ks and step up to the 10K distance at larger events, but this was their first midnight race. While the excitement was obvious, their approach leaned more toward enjoying the moment rather than chasing times.
“Wing it. I’m just winging it right now.” laughed Bicano, as she explained her race plan for her first Midnight 10K. “I’m a bit nervous, but, you know, it’s all whole team behind me.”
Williams added that even though the group tends to spread out during the race, the first finisher always circles back.
“You go back to the last person in the back, because you will pass everybody on the way… so you’ll know who is the last person behind, and you work with that person.”
Unfortunately we didn’t get to catch up with the Miles and Medals crew after the race, but judging from their pre-race energy, they likely had the time of their lives.
Young talent on deck
Who we did manage to catch was Adam Grosberg, an 18-year-old who was, reasonably speaking, the fastest civilian in the race. Grosberg finished eighth overall in 38:44.8—quick enough to place Alexia John, the women’s winner, ninth overall.
Grosberg is no stranger to early starts for 10Ks, though they usually begin around 5:00 a.m., making this his first midnight race. Safe to say, he expects to be back when the series continues in April.
His father, Andrew Grosberg, was just as impressed with what he saw—both on and off the asphalt.
“I’m very impressed with the turn-out that came out. It’s very encouraging to see a lot of guys come out and support these road races.”
This is what we do: Vibes on top of vibes!
And while the athletes supplied the performances, the atmosphere that carried the event belonged just as much to the supporters along the route.
As with any race of this scale, the sponsors helped make the night possible—but the members who came out in support of Subway went the extra mile, bringing a lively sideline presence along the Avenue stretch, among other points on the route: we see you, riddim section by Woodford Square!
By the time the last runners crossed the line and the early-morning calm returned to Ariapita Avenue, one thing was clear: the Midnight 10K wasn’t just about who finished first.
It was about the shared energy of the road, the community that gathered around it, and the reminder that running—whether for podiums or personal milestones—still has the power to bring people together.
This is the Bafasports way!