Prepare for the 18th instalment of The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon, scheduled to take place on Sunday 10 November 2024. This event presents an exceptional opportunity to reimmerse yourself in the rhythm of athleticism, pushing your limits, enduring the challenges, and surging triumphantly across the finish line.
Esteemed as one of the flagship events hosted by The University of the West Indies St. Augustine, participation has witnessed substantial growth over the past seventeen years, escalating from a mere 300 participants in 2004 to an impressive 1800 in 2023. Anticipations are set high for this year's event.
The half-marathon will commence promptly at 5:00 a.m. from The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre. The established 13.1 mile route remains unaltered, guiding runners through the traffic-free Priority Bus Route, starting from St. Augustine to the La Resource Junction in D'Abadie, and then retracing the same path.
After being sold-out on its debut last year, the 5K race is back, commencing at 5:15 a.m. on the same morning. This race caters to a broader spectrum of individuals, enabling enthusiastic participation in a distinguished and well-organized event.
Collaboration with the local sporting federations, the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) allows us to be certified locally and accredited by AIMS and World Athletics.
This year’s edition will seek to highlight dyslexia. Through collaboration with The Dyslexia Association (T&T), a registered charity, we aim to raise funds for important resources to aid with teacher training in structured literacy education and to engage in outreach initiatives. Sport can be a valuable tool for individuals with dyslexia to develop important skills, improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment and belonging, and we are intent on using this year’s race to promote such.
For further details, peruse our website or reach out via phone at (868) 645-9239 or (868) 662-2002 ext. 83808, 83571, 82594, or 82660. Alternatively, you can connect through email at specinfo@sta.uwi.edu.
Here are some tips for the novice runner to the experienced athlete.
Before you begin half-marathon training you should be able to run for at least 30 minutes without stopping.
During half-marathon training 65% of your total calories should come from carbohydrates.
Treat your feet to a good pair of running shoes to ensure you encounter no problems. Train in them before race day.
Always warm up before training or racing, with stretches and other appropriate exercises and then don't forget to cool down.
Always remember to carry and consume 6-8 oz of fluids every 20 minutes while running.
Try to avoid injury by using your non-running days to rest and recover. Taking time off to treat soreness will minimise your chances of injury.
You should allow your body the rest it needs between training so it can recover. From one run to the next, your body gets stronger.
Since the inception in 2004, the UWI Spec 1/2 Marathon has evolved into an international event with participants from all over the world
