News Releases

Record-breaking participation at 19th UWI St Augustine International Half-Marathon and 5K

For Release Upon Receipt - October 29, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, October 29th, 2025 - The UWI St Augustine Campus’ 19th International Half-Marathon and 5K on October 26 attracted record-breaking participation as an estimated 2100 registrants sought to cross the finish line and contribute to the noble cause of raising funds for the Trinidad and Tobago Alzheimer’s Association (AzATT). Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, AzATT aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia in an effort to challenge the stigma around the conditions and provide support to those who live with the diseases.

 

 Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, officially starts The UWI International Half Marathon, hosted on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC).

This year’s half-marathon and 5K finisher’s medal also carried special meaning with its blooms, the forget-me-not flower at the centre, which as a tribute to those living with Alzheimer’s and to the families represented, endurance on the course and the quiet strength of a community. By joining forces with AzATT, The UWI continues its long tradition of supporting local charities.

 

 Deputy Principal, Professor Derek Chadee, officially starts 5K, hosted on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC).

 

Considered a renowned international event, The UWI International Half-Marathon attracts veteran and burgeoning long-distance marathoners seeking to challenge their physical and mental fortitude, while the 5K race caters to a more far-reaching target audience aiming for a fun-filled, stimulating event. Registered participants of the half marathon started their 13.1-mile challenge at 5am, while the 5K participants took off 15 minutes later.

 

 Runners and wheeler participate in The UWI International Half Marathon and 5K, hosted on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

The 13.1-mile half-marathon course is certified by World Athletics and runs along the traffic-free priority bus route (PBR) from The UWI SPEC to La Resource Junction, D’Abadie, before looping back to the starting point. The UWI works with the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) to safeguard the integrity of the event, which is recognised by the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAA).

 

 Alex Ekesa, 2025 first-place half-marathon winner, is ahead of 2024 champion Tafari Waldron during The UWI International Half Marathon and 5K, hosted on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

 

It was a close finish between the top two in the male category of the half marathon, as Kenyan runner Alex Ekesa clocked a time of 01:08:33 to clinch first place over 2024 champion Tafari Waldron, who came in second with a time of 01:08:58. Incidentally, it was Waldron who topped the 2024 edition of the half marathon with a time of 01:09:53. Nicholas Romany rounded off this year’s top three in the half-marathon as he secured third place with a time of 01:11:06.

 

 Alex Ekesa, 2025 first-place male half marathon winner, crosses the finish line during The UWI International Half Marathon and 5K, hosted on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC).

In the women’s category of the half-marathon, Aniqah Bailey claimed glory at the top spot with a time of 01:30:36, which was no doubt a redemption from her 4th place finish in 2024. Alexia John finished second in 01:33:09, while 2024 champion Samantha Shukla rounded off the top three in this year’s edition with a time of 01:33:33.

 

 Aniqah Bailey, first-place female half-marathon winner, crossing the finish line during The UWI International Half Marathon and 5K, hosted on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC).

It was a photo finish in the male category of the 5K, as Kerry McLean won with a time of 18:18, and Zidan Hamid followed in a close second with a time of 00:18:19. Ashtin Torres rounded off the top three with a time of 19:27. Ziya Hosein-Livingstone was the top female runner in the 5K as she crossed the finish line in a time of 23:47, followed by Angela Curatas in second with a time of 24:59. Jaliyah Celestine rounded off the women’s top three with a time of 26:07.

In addition to the top performers in the half-marathon and 5K, many participants achieved personal best times and took pride in ringing the motivational celebratory bell. Furthermore, persons who were unable to cheer the runners in-person had the opportunity to do so via social media, as the event was live-streamed on Facebook with timely updates being provided on The UWI’s social media pages.

The half-marathon and 5K fostered global participation in the truest sense of the term for all stakeholders and well-wishers. Some of the sponsors for this year’s marathon included AA Laquis, ACADO Foods, AS Bryden & Sons (Trinidad) Ltd, Bermudez Group Ltd, Hadco Ltd, Holiday Snacks Ltd, Subway, SM Jaleel and Company Ltd, and the National Flour Mills Ltd.

The UWI further champions the ideals of holistic health and education by using funds generated by the marathon to provide essential scholarships for student athletes.

The UWI Campus extends sincere gratitude to all our sponsors, volunteers and runners for making the 2025 instalment of The UWI SPEC 2025 international half-marathon and 5K a resounding success.

Next year, 2026, will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Half -Marathon and plans are in store to make it even bigger.

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