For the Love of Pan Music
Music and movement came together in the Bafasports Sach and Steel Community 5K, as runners came out to the Queen’s Park Savannah again to get in their kilos last Thursday.
The race was the in-person leg of the Virtual 5K also hosted by Sach and Steel as participants took to the road, track, and wherever else they could find space to run, walk or jog in support of a cause rooted in Trinidad and Tobago’s rich steelpan heritage.
More than simply a test of fitness, the virtual 5K was designed to help promote inclusive steelpan education and the transformative power of music and community.
“This is a race I’ve been playing for maybe over a year now… I wanted to do it in August because August has been designated as World Steelpan Month,” explained Sachelle Thomas, owner of Sach and Steel. “We did have a Pop-Up race, and it was successful.”
Last month every step taken in the Virtual 5K helped support a movement dedicated to empowering children and adults of all abilities to build confidence, develop new skills and discover new ways to express their talents.
With participants able to complete the 5K anywhere and at their own pace, the event opened the door for people of varying ages and abilities to get involved while contributing to a wider mission.
Whether running the full distance, walking it or finding their own rhythm along the way, every mile carried a purpose beyond the finish line.
And for those who completed the challenge, a unique finisher’s medal provided a lasting reminder of their achievement — and of a 5K that celebrated fitness, inclusion and the enduring cultural power of the steelpan.
The Route
It was back to familiar grounds as the Bafasports’ racing committee charted a course around the QPS starting opposite Queen’s Royal College at Hayes Street heading around the savannah until Chancery Lane before turning back to bring the race back to the start.
Oladele and Smith top the podiums
Bafasports Ambassador Simeon Oladele emerged as the leading male finisher, completing the 5K in 24 minutes, and 37 seconds, to take the overall men’s title.
Wayne Nimblette followed in second in 28:48.2, while Steve Samaroo was third in 30:11.6.
Oladele was the first of the men across the virtual finish line, finishing more than four minutes clear of Nimblette as the trio claimed the top three positions in the men’s category.
In the women’s field, Peggy Smith led the way with a winning time of 35:13.9. Hilary Cazabon finished second in 36:36.0, while Sherry-Ann Charles completed the women’s podium in 38:14.2.
Smith’s winning performance gave her a margin of 1:22.1 over Cazabon, with Charles a further 1:38.2 behind in third as the women’s category produced a closely contested battle for the minor positions.
Up Next for September
The run up to the end of the year has just begun, and next up will be the Trinidad Cement Limited 5K in Tarouba this Saturday, while the following Thursday (September 24) will be the Xtra Food Cares 5K at St Mary’s College Grounds, and of course, the Million Mile Campaign is still ongoing. We will see you there!