Subway runners get prizes after mix up

Five days after a dreaded mix-up on the course prevented officials from determining the final positions of the Subway 6k and 12k Road Race in Malabar, Arima, on September 6, the runners were finally rewarded at a press briefing on Friday at Roxy, St James.

Isaiah Alder and Kyla Kerr topped the 6k race, while the longer 12k version of the race was sealed by the pair of Alexia John and Tafari Waldron. The belated awards did not take away from the rivalry between the country’s top two middle-distance runners, Waldron and Alex Ekesa, as the former prevailed under cool conditions in Arima.

Ekesa lifted the ANSA McAL 5K at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, weeks ago, and said he wants to use as many of the local road race events to prepare for the United States Marathon soon. Subway’s Marketing manager Asha Sanmoogan offered a sincere apology for the incident, followed by an explanation that said, “We acknowledge that unforeseen circumstances during the race affected the overall participant experience, specifically regarding both the 6K and 12K courses and the subsequent presentation of awards.”

“During the race, unforeseen course deviations occurred due to a breakdown in the road management, leading to both courses being compromised, where participants were unintentionally misdirected. This discrepancy affected recorded times, distances, and finish order across select categories. In alignment with strict standards of sporting integrity and fairness, the race committee—in direct consultation with our technical timing partners—made the difficult decision to withhold the official prize presentation on race morning.”

Sanmoogan also made it clear, “Our timing and race management teams immediately initiated a comprehensive, step-by-step audit. This review process involved cross-referencing split checkpoints, timing mat data, participant GPS submissions, and finish line videos to ensure that every participant receives the rightful recognition and placement they earned.”

In the 12k race, the pair of Waldron and Ekesa was followed by third-place Stephon Gould, while the women’s equivalent saw John leaving behind the twosome of April Francis, a five-time winner of the Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer 5k, and Nakifa Punter, the runner-up of the Manny Ramjohn 79th Anniversary 5k race last year. In the 6k, Alder and Kerr crossed the finish line as winners but had to wait five days to know this, as runners openly expressed their disappointment after claims that they had either not completed the distance they signed up for or could not determine their times and final positions.

This disappointment turned into smiles on Friday last, with participants receiving $50 APP Gift Certificates and 100 Loyalty points as a show of appreciation for submissions and as a token for their patience. Some participants are also set to receive complimentary spots for the CADV Savannah Lap on September 26, 2026.