1st Trinidad & Tobago Midnight Half Marathon 2025
ATHLETE GUIDE – Trinidad & Tobago Midnight Half Marathon
The Half Marathon Committee and sponsors of the Trinidad and Tobago Midnight Marathon 2025 welcome you to our race. You, the participant, whether you are an elite athlete or a back-of-the-pack finisher, are our number one concern. We want you, in spite of the demands of the half marathon, to enjoy yourself, to be as comfortable as possible in an event as grueling as this one.
The RULES OF THE RACE, as outlined below, are intended to further this aim. In order that the race may be conducted in accordance with the rules of the local NAAA and the World Athletics, you are requested to READ THEM CAREFULLY, and ensure that on race day you comply with them in order to avoid disqualification or embarrassment. Abide by the rules and have a great race!
RULES OF THE RACE:
1. Registration fees must be paid and entries completed by Friday, 11th April, 2025
Athletes who fail to complete registration & payment by this date will not be allowed to enter the race.
2. Race Bib collection will be held over three days
Click here for locations and times: https://bafasports.com/midnighthalfbibcollection
Order number and ID is required to collect your or a friend’s package.
Note: There will be no bib collection on race day
3. Corral Assignments:
To ensure a safe and organized start, please fill out the Corral Assignment Form to confirm your starting group based on your estimated finish time. Corral placements help reduce congestion and enhance your race experience.
4. PRIZES will be awarded as follows:
Top 5 Male and Female
Top 1 Age Group
Athlete’s age will be calculated as “age on race day”.
Fastest Team Male and Female
Largest Team
5. You will be assigned a race number which you must wear at all times during the race. The number MUST BE PINNED TO THE FRONT OF YOUR VEST. Failure to display your number at any point in the race could lead to instant disqualification. NUMBERS MUST NOT BE CUT, ALTERED OR SEPARATED IN ANY WAY. At the finish line allow officials to REMOVE the bib tab at the bottom, follow instructions.
6. All participants will start at 12:01 a.m. on 13 April, 2025. DUE TO THE DARKNESS PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUESTED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION ON THE ROUTE.
7. Parking can be found on the side streets in and around the Savannah & Environs (Please remember not to leave valuables in your vehicle, and aim to arrive early to secure parking).
8. Assemble at the race village at least 30 minutes before the start of your race. This is located in the NCC Grand Stand, Queens Park Savannah (opposite NAPA). Electronic timing will be used via an RFID tag attached to your race bib. Failure to collect your race bib prior to race day will disallow you from starting the race. There will be a warm up 15 minutes before the start of the race.
9. The half marathon course is exactly 13.1 miles (21.0975 km). A map of the course has been advertised. Your turnaround point is situated near Gordon Street, Petit Bourg. Run/walk on the left side of the road. Allow elite or fast marathoners to pass on your right.
Zoomable Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3343882711243014088
The Half Marathon Route
10. At the start those half marathoners who require a bag check can leave clothing or belongings at the Bag Check Area. PLEASE, DO NOT PUT ANY VALUABLES IN YOUR BAG! ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS OF VALUABLES PLACED IN THESE BAGS. At the finish line, your bag will be given to you upon presentation of your race number.
11. At the start line, elite athletes will be given front line preference by Marshals. There will be a corral system in place separate by estimated finish time / pace group. Please assemble within the corrals in an orderly fashion and await the sound of the horn. The Half Marathon race will be started by horn at 12:01 AM on Sunday, 13th of April.
12. The course will be closed off from vehicular traffic with barriers. Although sections of the course are closed to vehicular traffic, caution should be exercised at all times. As for all Bafasports Events, the necessary police permissions and security measures will be in place. In addition, over 60+ members of the protective services will be deployed to ensure a safe environment for participants.
13. There will be WATER at the start and finish and water stations at Mile 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12. (Note you will revisit these water stops on your way back to the Queen’s Park Savannah due to the “out and back” course. There will also be two (2) POWERADE replacement fluid stations, the first at approximately mile 2 and the second at Mile 6. Half Marathoners are advised to drink a little at ALL stations to avoid dehydration.
Photographers will be strategically places along the route to capture your race effort. Look sharp! 📸🏃♂️🏃♀️
Toilets can be found at Mile 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Medics will be stationed at every hydration station.
Ice baths will be provided at the recovery tent in the race village.
Look out for the Subway Vibes Crew at mile 2 & 12, the Caribbean Airlines Vibes Crew at mile 4, the Powerade & Dasani Vibes Crew at mile 5, and and good n’ Natural Vibes Crew at mile 6.
14. The course will be marked in MILES. Markers will be placed on the left side on the roads/streets. There will also be marshals along the route to guide you dressed in reflective vests.
15. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RIDE IN ANY VEHICLE, BICYCLE OR ANIMAL-DRAWN CART DURING THE RACE. Should you wish to drop out of the race, you are free to do this at any point. BUT YOU MUST NOT LATER CROSS THE FINISH LINE OR YOU WILL FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
16. In accordance with NAAA and World Athletics rules, participants are warned that PACING IS NOT PERMITTED. If any athlete is suspected of being paced by another non-registered runner/s, or by cyclist/s, he/she will be warned by race officials to desist. Failure to comply could lead to disqualification. Personal supporting vehicles are not allowed on the course BY LAW, and are discouraged as they can obstruct other runners on the course.
17. Only persons who have completed the entire race on foot must enter the marathon chute at the finish line. All finishers will receive a medal, however only those confirmed to have reached the turning point and crossed the finish line with the timing chip will be eligible for prizes. After your complete your race please follow the instructions from the race marshals who will guide you towards the medal collection area.
18. The following facilities will be available at the Finish: major medical station, rest tent, refreshment bar, and toilets. Massage therapists will be provided for half marathoners only.
19. Results will be reviewed for queries prior to prize presentation. The top 5 male and top 5 female finishers of the half marathon will be requested to present themselves at the stage area for a formal presentation. Prize presentation will be held on race day. Age group prizes will also be presented on the day. Full results will be available after verification by the day’s end. Participants can visit www.bafasports.com/results to view results.
20. Reports of irregularities or queries about your placing should be made on race day to Nigel Bellamy, Race Director or Charles Bobb-Semple, Lead Timing Officer. Any results announced on race day will be considered provisional until all queries are entertained, and a full report is submitted by the Race Director and Lead Timing Officer.
21. The course will be closed at 4.30am. Athletes whose progress during the race indicates that they will finish well after 4.30 am will be so advised by race officials and provided with transport off the course for your own safety. SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO REFUSE TRANSPORT AND CONTINUE, THE ORGANISERS CANNOT GUARANTEE SUPPORT PERSONNEL (e.g. Police, TEAM, medical personnel, water stations).
22. Bone conduction sports headphones are the only headphones that are approved for use in all road races staged by Bafasports. “In ear” headphones cannot be used in events where roads are open to traffic.
Using ear-sealing or covering headphones during the race is not recommended as they can hinder you from being fully aware of your surroundings. Being able to hear important sounds, such as instructions from the race marshals, approaching emergency vehicles, or other participants, is crucial for race safety.
23. There will be a cool down after the run featuring a stretch and flow session.
24. Bibs are not to be transferred under any circumstance. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification. This compromises medical and emergency contact information as well as the race results.
25. “Disclaimer – By my registration, I acknowledge that a road race is a potentially hazardous activity, which could cause injury or death. I certify that I am medically able to perform this event. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official, including the right of any official to deny or suspend my participation for any reason whatsoever. I assume all risks associated with running in this event, including but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, traffic and the conditions of the road. Having read this waiver, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the Trinidad and Tobago Midnight Half Marathon Committee, Bafasports, all event sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event. I grant permission to all of the foregoing to use my photographs, motion pictures, recordings or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose. There are no refunds. If however, you are not in agreement with the above, email foundation@bafasports.org to cancel your registration”.
THE RULES ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY, HAVE A GREAT RACE!