When the Colonel Took the Road: A 5K Like No Other
As you got closer to the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday, you knew something big was right around the corner as the red shirts trickled towards the historic landmark.
The trickle soon turned into a flood when the starter’s horn sounded, as a sea of red streamed forward towards Queen’s Park West.
In the 2500-strong crowd, a Bafasports record, you had national athletes, lawyers, bankers, office staff, construction workers – people from all walks of life – gathered together for the same purpose.
We set the scene with a sea of red
To the casual observer standing at the starter’s gantry, there was a sea of red (and grey for that matter) that stretched all the way back to NAPA from that perspective.
The rains of Easter Monday were long gone.
We traded the night cool for the complete opposite. This time, it was back to the conditions that you’d typically expect for a 5K – sun, hats, polarised glasses, and lots and lots of sweat.
As I mentioned before, approaching the QPS from the south felt like an increase in intensity after every block traversed.
I came up from Tragerete Road and from as far as Cipriani Boulevard, runners decked in their smart Colonel’s 5K and 1K tees were making the trek up to the awaiting road-racing pilgrimage.
And while the countdown started, runners near the front were hopping up and down on the spot, eagerly anticipating the starter’s horn.
Jr Lee, and his army of Colonels
And just like that, the race was off – a steady stream of runners hurtling forward, and jostling for an early position near the front, while the remainder got their start off less frenetically with a calm walk.
But there was much more going on here than just a race.
I’ve already highlighted the cause. KFC have made a lot of waves with their Harvest Programme, as well as the intention that every stride in Saturday’s event will help make a difference – eight different NGOs will benefit from the support and funding from the race.
On the day itself, there was a lot to take in apart from the runners and results.
A keen eye would’ve spotted Jr Lee, who has been quite the sensation on social media for the last three years.
The comedian and media personality gave the event his endorsement weeks ago, promoting the best-dressed-Colonel competition.
At first the locale looked as it should: branded tees, runners lining up, starter’s gantry – the works. But then after a second glance there were a couple silver-haired runners in the crowd, a couple white beards.
What was going on, here?
Shortly before the race started, Colonel Sanders arrived like the fast-food royalty he is; cane in one hand, and a bucket in the other.
Quite the sensation to say the least, and with a bold statement of intent, the Colonel contest was underway.
Some runners were dedicated to the camp. By the time the race was wrapping up, it wasn’t unusual to see runners in their kit garnished by white jackets, or fake beards, and of course, some of the Colonels took to the road in full character – because why not?
That wasn’t the end of it as after the race the tough decision had to be made to narrow down the two winners of the “Best Dressed Colonel” prize. Rajindra Bachu, and Jesus Sanchez both walked away with the $2500 prize.
Word on the street
“For the seasoned runner the Savannah and Fed Park loop was an expected one,” explained Shane Lue Choy, a regular face at Bafasports events.
“There is a comfort that comes with the familiarity, but that does not make the incline from Serpentine Road back up to the Savannah any easier,” he continued. “Thankfully, the water stops were in all the right places and there were a couple vibes crews along the way to give you that added boost.”
And speaking of vibes, the athletes village at the Grand Stand was possibly the most packed we’ve seen yet.
It wasn’t just a refuel, but a full-on event in itself.
Before the race there was the typical aerobathon-style warm up, and refreshment stalls for anyone craving a quick bite, or drink to hydrate before they hit the road.
After the race though, runners filed into the Grand Stand collecting their medals along the way, before joining the red sea on the inside where there was music, photo booths, doubles, corn soup – and this list could stretch around the corner.
It was an event that exemplified our bottom line which is to make running fun again, and to promote health and wellness through a holistic Saturday afternoon experience.
Speaking of holistic, it couldn’t get any more wholesome than the 12-and-Under 1K event that started the afternoon. The children were quite eager to cut loose in the Savannah grass – the stuff the next potential Tafari Waldron is made of.
From day to night: The Midnight Marathon looms!
Don’t forget that in less than a month, the Midnight Marathon and Ekiden Relay on May 10 will conclude the Midnight Runner series. Leading up to that we have a slew of races to cap off April as well, including: 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.
So keep the registrations going, keep the strides flowing and the healthy lifestyle growing.
“Other than having to run under the blazing heat, I was glad to see the massive turnout,” Lue Choy added after the race. “This tells me that the love for KFC is as strong as ever, and the interest in 5Ks continues to grow.”
And grow we shall. One stride at a time.