September 2009


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A Runner's Paradise

The UWI’s St Augustine Campus will host its signature UWI SPEC International Half Marathon 2009 on Sunday 1st November, 2009. This year, the Half Marathon begins at the UWI SPEC from 6 a.m. with the 13.1 mile route remaining unchanged. The race will continue along the traffic-free Priority Bus Route (PBR) to the La Resource Junction in D’Abadie, before doubling back to the UWI SPEC. The course will be complete with markers and water stops at every mile for the running convenience of the athletes from around the world including the Caribbean, USA, Latin America and Europe.

Over 1,000 local, regional and international athletes will compete for over TT$135,000 in prizes, including specific categories for UWI students and staff, and wheelchair as well as physically challenged competitors. This year, a new team category will be introduced. Teams must have a minimum of 15 athletes. Team members are allowed to also enter in the individual categories.

Participation has grown over the years from 300 at its inception in 2004 to more than 750 in 2008. “The half marathon is touted as the best organised road race in the region especially since it is the only traffic-free distance event, said Dr Iva Gloudon, UWI’s Director, Sport & Physical Education.

Once again, this year’s race will be electronically timed and any records broken in this AIMS-certified (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), and International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF)- accredited race will be recognized worldwide.

Another important feature is the recognition by the National Amateur Athletic Association (NAAA ) of the UWI SPEC International Half Marathon as its official half marathon championship.

Local participants have the added convenience once again this year of registering at any First Citizens branch throughout Trinidad and Tobago by presenting valid picture identification and their registration fee. Race waivers will now be signed at the First Citizens branch when completing the registration.

Registration has been taking place since September 10th and runs to October 23rd. Registration will automatically close, however, when 1,000 persons have registered for the race. There will be no registration on race day.

Only athletes residing outside of Trinidad and Tobago can register online at active.com. The deadline for online registration is Friday 16th October, 2009.

First Citizens is the presenting sponsor of the UWI SPEC International Half Marathon and presented a cheque for TT$350,000 to St Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat at the official launch. The event is also supported by the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT).