News Releases

UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon Turns 20 with Focus on Active Living

For Release Upon Receipt - September 3, 2026

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago – 3 September 2026 — The St. Augustine Academy of Sport at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) will host the 20th edition of The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon on Sunday 25 October 2026, starting at 5:00 a.m. from The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC), St. Augustine. The milestone event, which comprises the Half-Marathon, 5K race and Health and Wellness Village, will mark twenty years of the flagship sporting event with a renewed focus on championing active lifestyles, raising awareness of obesity and promoting the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 

For two decades, the Half-Marathon has brought together athletes, fitness enthusiasts, families and communities in one of the Campus’s flagship sporting events. This year, the University is expanding the event’s health and wellness focus, positioning the race as a platform to encourage healthier lifestyles and greater awareness of the risks associated with obesity and NCDs. 

The 2026 Half-Marathon aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly Target 3.4, which calls for reducing premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and the promotion of health and well-being. 

Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for NCDs, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and continues to present a significant public health challenge in Trinidad and Tobago. Through the 20th anniversary race, The UWI is encouraging individuals and communities to make physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices part of everyday life.

A key feature on Race Day will be the Health and Wellness Village, which will provide participants and members of the wider community with access to health screenings, nutritional guidance, wellness resources and interactive booths hosted by health-focused organisations. 

“For 20 editions, The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon has demonstrated the power of sport by bringing people together. As we celebrate this milestone, our focus on Championing Active Lifestyles reflects our commitment to creating an impact that goes beyond Race Day and encourages healthier, more active communities” – Anand Rampersad, Ph.D. – Head, St. Augustine Academy of Sport. 

Since its launch in 2004, participation in the event has grown from approximately 300 participants to over 2,100 participants in 2025, establishing the Half-Marathon and 5k race as a major fixture on Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting calendar. 

The 13.1-mile Half-Marathon will begin promptly at 5:00 a.m. from The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC). The established traffic-free route will take participants from St. Augustine along the Priority Bus Route to the La Resource Junction in D'Abadie, before returning to the Campus.

The 5K race will follow at 5:15 a.m., providing an accessible opportunity for persons of varying ages and fitness levels to participate. 

The event is organised in collaboration with the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) and the Half-Marathon is accredited by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and World Athletics. 

As The UWI celebrates 20 editions of the Half-Marathon, the University is inviting runners, walkers, families and members of the wider community to join the movement towards a healthier Trinidad and Tobago. 

For registration and further information, contact The UWI SPEC at (868) 645-9239 or (868) 662-2002 ext. 83808, 83571, 82594 or 82660, or email specinfo@sta.uwi.edu.

The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon 2026 

Sunday 25 October 2026

Half-Marathon: 5:00 a.m.

5K: 5:15 a.m.

Start/Finish: The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre, St. Augustine 

END 

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This recognition has also spring boarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu

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