$5k for record breaking times at 2018 TT Marathon

The TT International weekend will take place on January 20 and 21, with the headline event being the marathon on January 21 from Freeport to the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

All Sport Promotions decided to get involved in the event for the first time because of the event’s history. Tony Harford of All Sport Promotions said, “We are delighted to be involved for the first time in what is indisputably one of the signature sporting events in Trinidad and Tobago.

Few events have lasted longer, few events have overcome such mountainous obstacles to just remain alive and survive.

“We believe sincerely that the marathon must be under our calender of four or five signature national events, and hence the reason for our company trying to enter the fray to make a difference.” The open winner in both the men’s and women’s category will win US$5,000 each. Prize money will also be up for grabs in the age group categories which includes a 70-and-over division.

Harford said if any national athlete breaks the men’s or women’s TT Marathon record they will win a bonus of $5,000. Former TT runner Ronnie Holassie has the men’s meet record of two hours, 17 minutes and 33 seconds (2:17.33) for the past 20 years, while Tonya Nero has the women’s record of 2:56.33 which she achieved earlier this year.

Chairman of the TT International Marathon committee Diane Henderson said 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Henderson said the race committee recognises this, as the savannah has been an important part of the race.

“This year is also the 200th anniversary of the Queen’s Park Savannah, and we the marathon committee recognises that milestone.

The savannah has impacted on the ambience of the marathon since 1983 to now, so it is significant for us to recognise that,” Henderson said.

Race director Francis Williams- Smith said the marathon has kept the same course because the course allows a number of communities to be involved. Williams said, “We have always felt that the involvement of the community in the race was essential, so the traditional course from Freeport to White Hall has remained.” Williams-Smith thanked some of the sponsors of the event including Gatorade, Blue Waters and Subway.