Tafari Waldron has become a name synonymous with Bafasports, and we’re all for it.
The national runner, who is a double Carifta Games champion in the 5000 metres, has so far, seamlessly transferred his dominance to the road as he continues his transition into the seniors.
And at the Oasis Inaugural 7K Run/Walk, Waldron walked home with gold again as he topped the field in the two-lapper around the Queen’s Park Savannah.
Two laps, but one focus
Typically when we schedule a race around the QPS, we add in a trek through St Clair to sweeten the deal. This time around we opted for more distance albeit at the perceived cost of a more technical run.
Sorry race purists.
All jokes aside, the QPS is a classic well-beaten path for runners of all levels. Some die-hards often complete multiple laps several times a week to get their cardio to desired levels.
With the two-lap design everybody got the best of both worlds in the sense that the race was long enough to be challenging for the elites, while giving the more recreational runners more bang for their buck.
Waldron Dominance
And it was with a bang that Waldron stormed to the finish, clocking 26 minutes, 40.3 seconds, to cruise home almost two minutes before Jayden Alexdender in second, who clocked 28:30.7, while Akil Ragbir finished third in 29:21.2.
Alexi John was the first woman to cross the line, clocking 38:32, while Rohil Yusof and Heqpera Khafra fought a close battle for second and third, cutting it down to a tenth of a second to split the difference.
Yusof clocked 38:44.1 to snatch second place, while Khafra finished third in 38:44.2.
All for a Cause
The Oasis Inaugural 7K Run/Walk, isn’t just about fitness, but a fundraiser towards the book launch for Simeon Adewale’s Determined not to Fail where the proceeds will be donated to schools in T&T and Nigeria, and to support youth and women empowerment programmes.
Adewale’s work, a memoir that details his journey from From a small village in Nigeria to completing 77 races in 12 months while serving as a diplomat – a story that anyone can achieve extraordinary success.
Many Thanks to the Sponsors
The event however, would not have been as successful without the efforts of Subway, TruValu, Kiss Baking Company, Elaris Consult, Five Islands, Periscope Consulting, Guiltless Yogurt, Good N’ Natural, New Town Medical Centre, Oando, Phase II Pan Groove, Magdalena Grand, City Mart Stores, Horizons Art Gallery, Golden Years Oasis, Colai’s, Anther Consulting Limited and Salako Adewale & Co.
Get Ready for the Colonel
Up next on the menu will the eagerly-awaited KFC Chicken Run 1K and 5K to be hosted at the QPS, and the hype for that has been building since the start of March including a competition for the “best dressed Colonel” which was heavily endorsed on Instagram by the one and only Gervail Sean Lemo.Â
Stay in the loop for more fun times ahead, as well as the scoop on our latest races!
Results
Men
- Tafari Waldron – 26:40.3
- Jayden Alexdender – 28:30.7
- Akil Ragbir – 29:21.2
Women
- Alexi John – 38:32.0
- Rohil Yusof – 38:44.1
- Heqpera Khafra – 38:44.2
*See our results page for more details