Kenyan, Arimian top Freedom Run 5K

KENYAN Alex Ekesa and Arimian April Francis won the male and female divisions of the annual Walke Street Emancipation Committee Freedom Run 5K on Tuesday in Sangre Grande.

The event attracted over 300 participants with Ekesa holding off the challenges of Phillip James and Isaiah Alder respectively.

Ekesa, the 2019 champion, was pleased with the victory, despite running off course during the race.

"Those are challenges and things we are not in control of, but once you prepare and know what you came to do, you just have to be focused," Ekesa said.

"Most of the time, life has so many types of experiences. When you go through some event or circumstance, that is when we get to know (yourself) better. At times it becomes like building blocks to do better. That is something, if you take it positively, it's gonna make you a better person at the end of the day."

Ekesa said he was proud to compete in an event with an Emancipation theme.

"This is a very big day looking back at what our ancestors had to go through to make this nation in conditions like this where we can come out as a society and community. It is significant to our existence right now.

"I feel that as much as our ancestors were in shackles, there is one thing we have to get out of. I think it's Bob Marley who sang that you need to get out of mental slavery. It is rampant. We have to work on getting out of mental slavery and free ourselves and do something significant for the upcoming generation ahead of us."

Francis, a former winner, pulled off a surprise win against a competitive field. Youngster Chennai Moore took second place and 2022 champ Shardie Mahabir had to settle for third.

"It wasn't too bad. I was kinda shocked because I didn't do much mileage for a while. I've been focusing on track alone. Today I said I would come out and try a thing, and I come out on top. I feel good about that."

Francis said she has been focusing on her speed training in the 400m and 800m distances, with the aim of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

She said she enjoys competing at the Freedom Run. "It's a nice event. I actually went to school up here, so Grande is one my favourite places to come and run."