17 Athletes finish historic first backyard ultra marathon in Trinidad

Seventeen athletes completed the Gruelling RunPres Backyard ultra marathon over the Emancipation weekend in San Fernando, marking it as the first official ultra marathon held by Trinidad and Tobago. The event delivered an unforgettable test of physical and mental endurance for everyone involved.

While the 32 year old Valkyries Multisport Club member and former national triathlete Avinash Anamalay claimed top honors. All the other 67 starters earned immense respect for tackling the Grueling Challenge.

The competition has pushed athletes through a 24-hour circuit that started at 5:00 PM on 1 August and wrapped up after 4:00 PM the following day. Competitors had to complete a 3.7km that is 2.3 miles loop every hour. The route took runners from Presentation College down Carib Street, along Royal Road and Pointe-a-Pierre Road around the base of San Fernando Hill, before returning to the base.

Participants had to endure tough rolling inclines, dark and silent night laps, intense daytime heat, and overwhelming fatigue. Whatever time remained after finishing a loop was spent resting, refuelling, and preparing for the next hourly horn.

A total number of fifty runners gradually dropped out over the course of the event, unable to line up for the next lap. To survive the physical troll, athletes transformed the Presentation College auditorium into a bustling campsite filled with coolers, cots, massage guns, spare shoes and supportive family members.

Only seventeen athletes remained by 4:00 PM on Sunday, for the final 24th loop. The last lap shifted into a sprint for the finish line. Anamalay was the first who crossed and secured victory, finishing just 1minute and 28 seconds ahead of runner up, Yahu El completed his 24 loops in a total running time of 7 hours 57 minutes and 19 seconds.

The lead organiser Anthony Bisnath celebrated the event’s overall success emphasising that all participants and crew returned home safely without incident. Looking forward to 2027, organisers plan to enhance course lighting and provide expanded hydration and nutrition stations. Bisnath expressed deep gratitude to Presentation College and the local endurance community, praising the unity, warmth, and perseverance displayed throughout the historic weekend.