Retired principal, writer honoured

David-Swain and Moffett were presented with beautiful artwork during the committee’s 15th annual Five-Kilometre Freedom Run on Emancipation Day.

The event, titled Cleansing the Mind, featured close to 150 participants, including runners and fitness enthusiasts from throughout the country and the wider Caribbean.

Among them were members of the popular Sweaters Club in Sangre Grande. The committee’s founder, Montsho Masimba, in an address at the start of the run, said the organisation was established some 22 years ago, to assist in the development of the region through lectures, seminars and other community-building events.

Masimba told the participants their ancestors fought for the freedoms they continue to enjoy.

“There was a time when our people could not take part in sports. What is going on here, we could not have done that. Many of our fathers and mothers died for for that opportunity,” he said of the run.

Masimba, a well-known community activist, recalled that when American athlete Jesse Owens had won the gold medal in the 1940s, Adolf Hitler had refused to put the medal around his neck simply because he (Owens) was black.

“That is in the 20th century I am talking about. So, we have the opportunity to run and be part of any sporting exercise we wish to be.” Masimba said the annual run was also a way of paying homage to our ancestors “who have done all of this hard work for us.” Masimba urged competitors to use the occasion to reflect on the symbolism of the Emancipation observance, which, he believes, is an ongoing process.

“Make it a spiritual day. Do not make it a day for bacchanal and partying down and spending money on ten thousand dollars clothes,” he said.

“Take Emancipation into your home, beat a drum, say a prayer, light a candle. Take this day and make it sacred for your parents sake. Without them we would not be here.” Placing first in the race was Guyanese national Kelvin Johnson in a time of 14:25: 32 while the second spot went to Jamaican Jossette Bromfield, who ran 14:57:33.

Johnson’s Guyanese compatriot Lionel Dandrad came in third in a time of 14: 57: 33 while Trinidadian Kriston Charles landed fourth place in 15:03:69 Among the women, April Francis emerged victorious with an impressive showing of 19:30:19.

Chantel Lemaitre and Melisa Lockhart Poliah placed second and third, respectively.

After the event, guests and participants were entertained by lively steelpan music and drumming.