CARICOM athletes to gather in St Lucia for 19th Road Run/Walk focused on health and unity

Athletes from across CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, including both elite competitors and recreational participants, are set to take part in the 19th CARICOM Road Run/Walk, scheduled for Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, beginning at 6:30 AM EST.

The event will start and finish in the vicinity of the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in the Rodney Bay area, situated in the northern part of the island, serving as both the staging and concluding point for the race activities.

According to a CARICOM press release, a range of categories will be featured in this year’s edition, including an Elite 10K race for professional athletes representing Member States, an Open 10K, an Open 5K Run, and an Open 5K Walk. Organisers have also confirmed that persons with disabilities are welcome to participate in the 5K Run and Walk events.

The Road Run/Walk forms part of the parallel activities leading up to the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which will be held under the chairmanship of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Philip J. Pierre.

The initiative is grounded in regional health policy commitments established in 2007, when CARICOM Heads of Government endorsed the Port-of-Spain Declaration. The declaration reaffirmed their collective commitment to reducing the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout the Caribbean.

Reportedly, it further outlined the need for coordinated, multi-sector approaches to prevention and treatment, encouraging participation from governments, private sector partners, civil society, and development agencies in a unified response to what remains one of the most significant health challenges in the region.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett underscored the significance of the Run/Walk in promoting healthier lifestyles across the Caribbean.

“The CARICOM Run/Walk demonstrates our collective commitment to healthier lifestyles. By choosing nutritious foods and staying active, we can confront the shared challenge of non-communicable diseases and create a healthier, more resilient Caribbean for all,” the Secretary-General said.

In addition to participation, the event will also include competitive incentives. The Elite 10K will award cash prizes of USD 1,000 to both the male and female winners, with additional cash awards for second and third place finishers in each category.

For the 5K events, trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in the male, female, and persons with disabilities categories. Organisers will also recognise the oldest and youngest male and female participants who successfully complete the course.

The 18th edition of the CARICOM Road Race 10K was previously held in 2025 in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.