Nicholas Romany will go after a second straight title when the second edition of the Chinese Community Friendship 7K Road Race, hosted by the Fui Toong On Association, comes off on Sunday, September 29.
This was announced by Willie Chang, a member of the T&T Fui Toong On Association, at the media launch held at the Fui Toong On Association, 12 Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, on Tuesday.
At last year’s inaugural staging of the event, which attracted more than 1,700 runners, joggers, and walkers, Romany, the reigning Caricom 10k champion, won in a time of 22 minutes flat in what was the first road race in the capital city for over 30 years.
As part of his prize package, Romany was awarded an all-expense-paid trip to Barbados, where he won all three titles at the Run Barbados 2023 in December.
The 2023 UWI Half-Marathon champion, Romany, won the Fun Mile in four minutes, 38 seconds; the 10km race in 32:55 minutes; and the Half-Marathon title in one hour, 16.54 minutes.
During his address, Chang first praised the various local Chinese associations, the Chinese Embassy, and the Port-of-Spain City Corporation for making the event a reality.
He added, “The race is a very exciting and much anticipated event for us as the Chinese Community in T&T has the opportunity yet again to showcase the deep and strong connections that exist between the Republic of T&T and the People’s Republic of China.”
Chang noted, “The year 2024 heralds the milestone achievement of 50 years of diplomatic relations between T&T and China.”
According to Chang, it is proposed that this year’s event will start at the Queen’s Park Savannah near Albion Street, with the runners proceeding around the Queen’s Park Savannah and then along the streets of downtown Port-of-Spain through Chinatown before the race ends back at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
With regards to the safety of the participants, Chang stated that the Chinese community is working with the T&T Police Service and the Port-of-Spain City Corporation to ensure a safe environment for all and the best possible road experience.
For this year’s event, Chang also said he was pleased to announce that Evolution Timing and Event Management Services has been appointed as Race Director, providing not only the registration platform but also the technical advice and partnering with the organisers on ensuring efficient route management. The services of the T&T Road Runners have also been secured in terms of supplying the prerequisite marshals, route cones, and installation of the finish gantry.
The registration fee for this year’s event is $135 and will be open to all interested parties on the registration platform starting Friday, August 2.
The winner of this year’s event will take home $3,000, the runner-up will collect $2,000, and third place, $1,000, while all entrants will receive beautiful commemorative medals and impressive goodie bags.
His Excellency Fang Qiu, Ambassador, The People’s Republic of China, was quick to point out that this year’s Chinatown 7K Road Race coincides with a series of events that are specifically held to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and T&T.
He added, in the past five decades, the relationship between our two countries has only grown stronger, and both countries have already been steadfast in the development of bilateral cooperation.
Fang Qiu said, “This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and over the decades, China has undergone a transformation that has reshaped the global economic landscape.
In closing, Fang Qiu said that last year, the Chinese Community donated the proceeds from the 7K Road Race to the Homeless Assistance Office, and this year, they will once again contribute the proceeds from the race to a worthy local charity.
Chinua Alleyne, Mayor of Port-of-Spain, praised the organisers as well as former Mayor Joel Martinez for helping to foster stronger and more positive relations among the different communities within the city.
“Alleyne noted that it was very important for the PoS Corporation to support these kinds of organisations and also pledged that his corporation will continue to do its part in making the city a better place by also supporting as many other organisations as possible.
Among those in attendance were Yu Hui Yu Fee, Vice President of the Fui Toong On Association; Andreas Stuven, Race Consultant for the Chinese Community 2024 Friendship 7k Road Race; and Kelvin Nancoo, head coach of Cougars Track and Field Club.