Former champs return for TT Marathon

This event is in its 35th consecutive year, easily the longest running marathon in the Caribbean. The TT IM starts at St Mary’s Junction, Freeport and culminates at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain. Start time will be 5 am with slow runners and walkers beginning at 3.30am.

Following the very successful hosting of the Marathon Relay in 2016, over 35 teams have already signed up to complete the 2017 Relay over the same marathon course. The TT IM weekend will jump start on January 28 with the 5K at the Queen’s Park Savannah from 4pm with Mayor of Port of Spain Joel Martinez starting the race.

Chepses will face strong opposition from two other Kenyans, Stanley Sang and Erick Kiprono with the local competition being headed by the evergreen Curtis Cox, winner in 2005 and the TT Male Road Runner of the Year for 2016. Another local to watch will be the up and coming youngster Kieve “Magicman” Gibson with Joe Church of Pennsylvania, USA an intriguing entrant.

Last year’s female champion Leah Kigen and the 2015 female champion Truphena Busieni have both entered the 2017 edition.

However, they will face a challenge from TT star Tonya Nero who stormed past two Canadians in the finishing straight to win the Half Marathon in Barbados last month. Christine Regis, a leading TT female runner in the 2015 and 2016 editions will also face the starter, with Karen Samuel of Great Britain and Sidy Diallo of France two other women to watch.

Brian Lewis, the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee will once again be at St Mary’s Junction to start at 3.30am with his team #10Gold 24