Bloom where you are planted. That was the word on Sunday at the St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain 5K 2026 at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
The well-established school, the alma mater of thousands of girls who went onto successful careers, celebrated 190 years in the business in style with a 5K that matched the hype.
The 6am-pump had all the trappings of our marquee races, including a pre-race aerobics pump, as well as fuelling stations, motivation stations, and a race village laden with fruit, doubles, and other refreshments as runners collected their medals and regailed each other with the experience.
“Familiarity breeds content”
The course is well-known by anyone who has ever participated in our savannah races.
Starting from Chancery Lane as opposed to the Grand Stand entrance opposite Haagen Das on Dundonald Street, runners cut 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 back where they started.
Like the Maraval Health Ministry 5K a week ago, with the morning air and cool conditions, it was everything a runner could ask for in terms of an enjoyable race from start to finish.
Francis and Suite-Stewart claim top honours
On the road, Donnel Francis came home strong in spite of the challenge from Guswil George. Francis clocked in at 17 minutes, 29.3 seconds to take home the $1000-prize, while George, nine and a half seconds later, came in second clocking 17:38.8. Shelton Clarke, a regular at our races, clocked in third with a 17:51.3 finish.
Zara Suite-Stewart was the first woman to cross the line in 22:37.3, while Jahzara Williams was second in 22:45, and Genesis Marchan finished third in 24:08.1.
After-race link up
And as we mentioned before runners had a slew of refreshments to choose from after they ran through the gantry and collected their medals.
Fruit on tap, drinks lined up around the corner to hydrate, and even doubles to refuel was all in the mix, while before the race the customary aerobathon got runners well-oiled and ready to go for the ensuing race.
There were also age-group prizes, a prize for the largest team, and product sampling and giveaways as well which made the experience all worth it.
Teamwork 190 years in the making
Of course this race was a collaboration between us and St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain, but with the additional help from Guiltless Yogurt, Vita Malt, Bermudez, Massy Distribution, Starbucks, Lipton, Subway, Eve, Dasani, the NCC, Optometrists Today, Good N’ Natural, Flavorite, and Powerade, alumni and Bafasports enthusiasts alike were able to make the most of the anniversary celebration.
Don’t blink, Midnight is almost here!
And now, at long last.
The Midnight Marathon and Ekiden relay is just days away, as the race runs off on Sunday morning. We will be back at the QPS to see who will seal top honours and bragging rights for the rest of the year as the king and queen of the night.
We can’t, but until then watch this space for more.
Results:
Men
- Donnel Francis – 17:29.3
- Guswil George – 17:38.8
- Shelton Clark – 17:51.3
Women
- Zara Suite-Stewart – 22:37.3
- Jahzara Williams – 22:45.0
- Genesis Marchan – 24:08.1
*See our Results page for full details, including age-group results