UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon Turns 20 with Focus on Active Living
September 2nd, 2026 | Related To: The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine
The St. Augustine Academy of Sport at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) will host the 20th edition of The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon on Sunday 25 October 2026, starting at 5:00 a.m. from The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC), St. Augustine. The milestone event, which comprises the Half-Marathon, 5K race and Health and Wellness Village, will mark twenty years of the flagship sporting event with a renewed focus on championing active lifestyles, raising awareness of obesity and promoting the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
For two decades, the Half-Marathon has brought together athletes, fitness enthusiasts, families and communities in one of the Campus’s flagship sporting events. This year, the University is expanding the event’s health and wellness focus, positioning the race as a platform to encourage healthier lifestyles and greater awareness of the risks associated with obesity and NCDs.
The 2026 Half-Marathon aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly Target 3.4, which calls for reducing premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and the promotion of health and well-being.
Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for NCDs, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and continues to present a significant public health challenge in Trinidad and Tobago. Through the 20th anniversary race, The UWI is encouraging individuals and communities to make physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices part of everyday life.
A key feature on Race Day will be the Health and Wellness Village, which will provide participants and members of the wider community with access to health screenings, nutritional guidance, wellness resources and interactive booths hosted by health-focused organisations.
“For 20 editions, The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon has demonstrated the power of sport by bringing people together. As we celebrate this milestone, our focus on Championing Active Lifestyles reflects our commitment to creating an impact that goes beyond Race Day and encourages healthier, more active communities” – Anand Rampersad, Ph.D. – Head, St. Augustine Academy of Sport.
Since its launch in 2004, participation in the event has grown from approximately 300 participants to over 2,100 participants in 2025, establishing the Half-Marathon and 5k race as a major fixture on Trinidad and Tobago’s sporting calendar.
The 13.1-mile Half-Marathon will begin promptly at 5:00 a.m. from The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC). The established traffic-free route will take participants from St. Augustine along the Priority Bus Route to the La Resource Junction in D’Abadie, before returning to the Campus.
The 5K race will follow at 5:15 a.m., providing an accessible opportunity for persons of varying ages and fitness levels to participate.
The event is organised in collaboration with the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) and the Half-Marathon is accredited by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and World Athletics.
As The UWI celebrates 20 editions of the Half-Marathon, the University is inviting runners, walkers, families and members of the wider community to join the movement towards a healthier Trinidad and Tobago.
For registration and further information, contact The UWI SPEC at (868) 645-9239 or (868) 662-2002 ext. 83808, 83571, 82594 or 82660, or email [email protected].
The UWI SPEC International Half-Marathon 2026
Sunday 25 October 2026
Half-Marathon: 5:00 a.m.
5K: 5:15 a.m.
Start/Finish: The UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre, St. Augustine
