More than five thousand people took part in this year’s RBC Race for the Kids in Port of Spain, with proceeds going towards supporting children diagnosed with cancer.
The event, staged around St Clair and the Queen’s Park Savannah, was described by organisers as a way of helping children diagnosed with cancer access treatment and related support.
CEO of RBC Caribbean Banking Chris Duggan said the day’s purpose extended beyond the race itself.
“So the race really is about so much more than RBC. RBC are delighted for us to be facilitating this. What this really is about is about the kids. The funds that are being raised for this race is for the Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund. We’re helping the children under the age of 17 who have been diagnosed with cancer, helping them to get the treatment that they need.”
The event included runners, walkers, wheelchair participants and children’s activities, with officials also joining the gathering. RBC said community participation has helped the race remain a steady fundraiser for over more than a decade.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts said the atmosphere reflected public support for the cause.
“I want to thank RBC for having me this morning to join you all, and the atmosphere here is definitely electrifying! Right? 55,000 participants. And we’re really excited to be here this morning, I look forward to joining in with the kids this morning. I heard there’s a lot of children’s activities, so I look forward to joining the kids. Definitely, this is what support looks like.”
The competitive side of the event also produced standout performances, with Alex Ekesa winning the 15K men’s race and Secmyah Andrews leading the women’s 5K field. But organisers maintained that the wider measure of the day was the support generated for children and families facing cancer. After 11 editions in Trinidad and Tobago, the race continues to position sport as a way of directing public attention and funding towards youth health causes.