Kenyan-born Alex Ekesa claimed his first-ever University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education (UWI SPEC) half marathon title, completing the 13.1-mile race in a personal best time of one hour, eight minutes and 33 seconds (1:08:33) in St Augustine on Sunday. This victory follows previous near misses for Ekesa, who had been beaten out of the top spot in 2019, 2023, and 2024.
Ekesa, representing the T&T Road Runners Club (TTRC), turned the tables on last year’s winner, Tafari Waldron, who finished second in 1:08:58. Waldron was the first local athlete across the finish line. The 2022 and 2024 Carifta Boys Under-20 5,000-metre gold medallist and national U-20 5,000m record-holder—now a student at the University of T&T (UTT)—was followed by Nicholas Romany (1:11:06) in third and Donnell Francis (1:12:33) in fourth.
The rest of the top eight men included Darius Harding, the 2024 UWI SPEC 5K winner, who placed fifth (1:13:11), Keron Ali (1:16:54), Isaiah Alder (1:19:26), the 2024 Carifta Boys U-17 3,000m bronze medallist, and veteran Guswill George (1:22:23).
In the women’s half marathon, 17-year-old Aniqah Bailey of Pace and Performance Factory took the crown with a time of 1:30:36. She finished ahead of Alexia John (1:33:09), who was going for her second win in as many weeks, and last year’s winner, former Carifta medallist Samantha Shukla (1:33:33). Shukla had won the 2024 crown in 1:37:06.
Ekesa, 43, expressed his satisfaction, noting the win came with his fastest time yet in the event. “It is always great to win. It was a good time [and] performance. I am grateful after I put on the mileage and the work and when things align,” he said.
He praised his competition: “I was focused to come out there and, based on my training, execute as best as I can. I respect all of them because they put so much sacrifice to make sure they give their best. I compliment them for being great athletes in T&T.”
Ekesa also revealed that his victory came despite challenges. “I was not certain I was going to run because of some health issues I was facing. I dedicate the win to all my friends here in Trinidad and Tobago who have become more than a family, the running community. I am humble to be in this country. I thank everyone. I appreciate their help and support.”
Kerry McLaren topped the men’s 5K field with a time of 18.18, narrowly beating Zidan Hamid (18.19) and Ashton Torres (19.27). Zikya Hosein Livingston took the women’s 5K honours in 23.47, followed by Angela Cuartas (24.59) and Jaliyah Celestine (26.07).
Some 1,917 runners competed in both the half marathon and the 5K races.
Results
Half Marathon
Men
1 Alex Ekesa (TTRRC/Kenya) 1:08.33
2 Tafari Waldron (UTT Patriots/TTO) 1:08.58
3 Nicholas Romany (TTRRC/TTO) 1:11.06
4 Donnell Francis (TTRC/TTO) 1:12.33
5 Darius Harding (Endurance Elite/TTO) 1:13.11
6 Keron Ali (TTDF/TTO) 1:16.54
7 saiah Alder (Cougars/TTO) 1:19.26
8 Guswill George (TTRC/TTO) 1:22.23
Women
1 Aniqah Bailey (Pace & Perormance/TTO) 1:30.36
2 Alexia John (Pace Link/TTO) 1:33.09
3 Samantha Shukla (TTRC/TTO) 1:33.33
4 April Francis (Unattached/TTO) 1:38.00
5 Shari Thomas (Unattached/TTO) 1:40.17
6 Celine Lestrade (Unattached/TTO) 1:40.27
7 Akeila Skeete (Medal Hunters/TTO) 1:41.15
8 Zara Suite-Stewart (Memphis Pioneers/TTO) 1:43.16
5K
Men
1 Kerry McLaren (Unattached) 18.18
2 Zidan Hamid (Unattached) 18.19
3 Asthon Torres (Redline) 19.27
4 Roger Riley (Track Blazers) 19.41
5 Trevor Burkett (Unattached) 19.49
6 Ruthven Kurbanali (Richard Jones Racing) 20.00
7 Jyasi Murray (UWI) 20.18
8 Stephen Plaza Jr (Richard Jones Racing) 20.25
Women
1 Ziya Hosein Livingston (Unattached) 23.47
2 Angela Cuartas (Unattached) 24.59
3 Jaliyah Celestine (Unattached) 26.07
4 Tiffany Choon (Unattached) 26.23
5 Kimaada Ottley (Unattached) 26.29
6 Sharon Chai (Ricro Motor) 27.36
7 Celia Raghubar (DAC) 28.56
8 Genevieve Noel (PPGPL) 29.11
