They usually hand out the medals, this time, they won them.
We were back on the asphalt again on Thursday, as running came to the Queen’s Park Savannah once again for our Community Pop-Up 5K, which took place on a running path charted in the grass around the historic venue.
The QPS at this rate, has become our second home as several of our 5Ks run there, but this time there would be a twist, as the Bafasports staff laced up and created a sensation of their own making it to the podium in both the men’s and women’s results.
We’re talking about the Bellamys here; both Nigel and Rian Bellamy, known for their assiduous work behind the scenes, decided to take a stab at the distance this time around.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here.
Nice and easy does it
This wasn’t the usual savannah challenge.
Instead of the traditional start either in front of the NCC, or Ruby Tuesday’s, the Pop-Up ran off in earnest from the western entrance of the NCC parking lot, and carved a path past Queen’s Park West, past the Magnificent Seven, around the Emperor Valley Zoo, to shortly after Belmond Circular Road, before an about turn brought the runners back to where they started.
Runners at the end enjoyed a kaleidoscope of medals including precious metal from the NCC Carnival 5K, Mayaro 5K, Sancouche 5K, S.K.H.Y Football race, Maraval 5K, DeanFlow 5K.
The Bafa staff has the kick too!
Nigel Bellamy is the CEO as most on the inside would know, but he was most certainly in charge of the running itself as he took to the starting line where his effort over the distance was good enough for second place.
Kyle-John Nero sealed top spot with a run of 24 minutes, 20.3 seconds, while Bellamy (N) was just over a minute behind in second clocking 25:29.8, after fighting off Walt Sosa, who finished third in 25:32.0.
Rian Bellamy, his other half, would go one better among the women, when she breezed past the finish with time to spare in 32:16.4, while Chanelle Granderson was 48.2 seconds behind in second, clocking 33:04.6, while Josanne Rochford completed the women’s podium in third.
And yes, team work to make the dream work
Thanks to the assistance of Subway, the NCC, Eve, Dasani, Good N’ Natural, E-Health, Powerade, Starbucks, and Trinebox, the event turned out to be a success.
Next on the radar…
This is just the beginning of what promises to be a busy August for us. The Rio Run 2026 5K features on August 8, while a day later will feature the TTPS Coup Attempt Remembrance 6K, and the hotly-anticipated Mayaro Coconut Beach Run 1K, 5K, and 10K, will run off at last on the weekend of August 15-16.
Results:
Men
- Kyle-John Nero – 24:20.3
- Nigel Bellamy – 25:29.8 Â
- Walt Sosa – 25:32.0
Women
- Rian Marie Bellamy – 32:16.4
- Chenelle Granderson – 33:04.6
- Josanne Rochford – 33:15.8
