Saturday at the Queen’s Park Savannah saw Tafari Waldron bag the three-peat as both he, and the Colonel’s 5K and 1K, sizzled in the afternoon heat.
Over 2000 runners arrived in droves yesterday for the event, as KFC was intent on putting on a show for the marquée event.
Waldron cruised to the end in 16 minutes, 16.6 seconds to take top honours at the hotly-promoted race with the cheers of onlookers near the gantry willing him to the finish.
His latest victory sealed a Bafasports three-peat for the national distance runner, as in the last week, he bagged gold at Easter Monday morning’s Midnight Half Marathon, as well as the Oasis Inaugural 7K Run/Walk on Holy Saturday. Add his wins at the SAWA Loop and the Deanflow Remembrance on the weekend of March 21-22, and you’re looking at quite the hot streak.
Impact that went far beyond the bucket
“Before the run there’s a reason.”
One of the messages on social media from the KFC team leading into their flagship event and true to form, this race wasn’t just for the 5K thrill.
KFC partnered with us also in an attempt to help push on their Harvest Programme, which turns surplus into support, and helps to feed families across Trinidad and Tobago.
With over 900,000 meals shared and counting the idea is that every stride yesterday helped to make a difference, as eight different NGOs will benefit from this support, including:
- Living Waters
- Church of God Ministries International
- Caribbean Da’wah Association
- San Fernando Shelter for Displaced Persons
- San Fernando West Women on the Move
- International Youth Fellowship
- Walking with the Spirit Ministries
And of course, we threw our hat into the ring to keep the goings on lively. People took the best-dressed-Colonel competition quite seriously, as a keen eye would’ve spotted white beards and jackets among the runners on the road and in the athlete’s village after the final runner crossed the line.
Savannah Life: The tour around the QPS to the finish
It was a route that most people know well by now, but that doesn’t mean that it was any less exciting for those involved.
Starting from the Grand Stand entrance opposite Haagen Das on Dundonald Street, before cutting down Hayes Street after passing Queen’s Park West, circling back to the Savannah at St Mary’s College Grounds and cutting through St Clair, and completing the rest of the savannah lap at the Grand Stand.
Waldron is primed for the upcoming track season
“Yeah, I’m very confident because I already ran the qualifying time for two of the teams,” Waldron explained to us after the race. With the recent conclusion of the Carifta Games in Grenada, training proper started back for him and the other national athletes vying for bigger things this year.
“We already started back the day before,” he said. “Because the day before that, which was Tuesday, the Carifta team came back, the coach came back. So, two days after, he started with us one time with a serious workout, and right now, we’re preparing for the upcoming track season.”
And what a way to go into what will soon be the business end on the track.
Waldron cruised down the final straight with a clear path in front of him – and behind him for that matter – with only the gantry in sight somewhere near the horizon.
Jayden Alexander finished in second clocking 16:52.3, while David Herbert wrapped up third place in 17:03.2 to settle the podium finishers.
Over to the women’s, and Alexia John was on a streak of her own, following up her win at the Midnight Half with another win when she cut through the gantry in 19:15.8, while Akeila Skeete in 21:18.7, finished second, and Adrieanne Garcia clocked 23:13.2 to cop third place.
The day’s action didn’t start with the 5K, though.
Youngsters made for an ideal curtain-opener
In the 8-12 division, Melchizedek White won the boys 1K with a 3:34 clocking, while nine-year-old Amiyah Porter was top among the girls in the same event finishing in 4:01.5.
In each division, Two eight-year-olds chipped in for an impressive podium place, with Ty Ransome clocking 3:39.3, and Hannah-Jana Rampersad in 5:02.2 finishing second in the boys and girls’ divisions respectively.
In the seven-and-under 1K, Xai Bateau ran away with it in 4:56 in the boys, while Milan Mondesir won the girls section in 5:56.
But the real MVP pound-for-pound had to be Devonté Farrell, who at five years old, finished third in the boys 1K, clocking 5:00.7.
All in. All win.
It goes without saying that without KFC the appeal of the event wouldn’t have been the same.
There are also other players that helped make this event a success including; Anem’s Company Limited, Bigelow, Blue Waters, Creamery, Flavorite, Gatorade, Degree, Glastic Designs, Good N’ Natural, Häagen-Dazs, Joy Skincare, Lucozade, Guiltless Yogurt, Mr Pop!, Pizza Hut, Presto, Quaker, Sante, Starbucks, SM Jaleel, Subway, Sunshine Snacks Sun Mix, Sundays, Swiss, Toppers, True, UTT, and Extra Foods.
And there’s more to come!
More races are down the pipeline leading towards the eagerly-anticipated Midnight Marathon and Ekiden Relay on May 10. The Albert King 5K hits the road on April 19, while St George’s 5K will be on April 25, and Maraval Health Ministry 5K on April 26.
For now, we’re just getting started.
Results
Men
- Tafari Waldron – 16:16.6
- Jayden Alexander – 16:52.3
- David Herbert – 17:03.2
Women
- Alexia John – 19:15.8
- Akeila Skeete – 21:18.7
- Adrieanne Garcia – 23:13.2
1K 7-and-Under
Boys
- Xai Bateau – 4:56.0
- Kaadir Bateau – 5:00.2
- Devonte’ Farrell – 5:00.7
Girls
- Milan Mondesir – 5:56.0
- Brielle Campbell – 6:02.6
- Carissa Moses – 6:13.4
1K 8-12
Boys
- Melchizedek White – 3:34.0
- Ty Ransome – 3:39.3
- Knareik Pierre – 3:52.1
Girls
- Amiyah Porte – 4:01.5
- Hannah-Jana Rampersad – 5:02.2
- Jhenae Thompson – 5:30.8
*See our results page for more details