T&T’s Lalonde Gordon successfully opened his indoor season defending his men’s 200 metres title at the Great Dane Classic in New York, USA on Saturday.

The Zenith Velocity Athletic Club sprinter clocked 21.34 seconds to win section one of 19 in the timed finals at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.

In Birmingham, Alabama, National Association of Athletics Administrations senior "Sportsman of the Year" Jereem Richards featured in the men’s 500m event at the University of Alabama (UAB) Blazer Invitational.

The impressive women’s field includes 40-year-old Leah Kigen, the winner on five occasions between 2013 and 2018, Colombian Palmenia Berrio and Kenyan Everline Atancha.

According to TTIM chairman Diane Henderson, the slower runners and walkers as per usual will start at 3.30 am and among these will be Assemblyman Jomo Pitt Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs, Tobago House of Assembly.

Registration is closed and collection of packages is now underway; athletes are reminded to walk with ID to collect packages, said Henderson in a release.

"Several top athletes have signed up to compete in this year’s event, Stephen Njoroge the 2018 and 2019 winner wants to make it three wins in a row, in an attempt to catch Pamenos Ballantyne (seven wins) and Tobago’s Michael Alexander (four wins)." Sjaelan Evans and Curtis Cox will lead the charge of the local contingent.

Evans, who was named the National Association of Athletics Administration’s "Most Outstanding female cross country athlete" earlier this month, placed runner-up in the women’s division last year after clocking 3:29.07 while Cox skipped the last edition.

Many local runners are making a debut here at the TTIM 2020 as they seek to complete their first marathon.

For 2020, a Military Challenge Trophy will be up for grabs as members of the coast guard will cover the 26.2 miles with weights on their feet.

This will act as military training as TTIM partners with our services to ensure that they stay fit and able to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities, said Henderson.

"To assist in raising awareness for important topics the TTIM Marathon Committee has partnered with two organisations to raise funds for charity in 2020, #teamTTO Athlete Welfare & Preparation Fund and Can Bou Play Mental Health.

Less than one year ago following our 2019 event we received the sad news of the passing of Ronald Balkaransingh, our road announcer who gave his services selflessly and passionately.

We will remember him and his dedication to the TTIM as we appreciate all volunteers who give of their" time for sport." The TTIM 5K starts at top of Dere Street and among the starters will be the Minister of Sport & Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe.

The Pink Reign Campaign will join in this year’s 5K as it continues to inspire young women towards empowerment.

The 5K will be followed by the TTIM Savannah Relay at 6.30 pm on the Queens Park Savannah opposite Whitehall.

The following day, the marathon will start from St Mary’s Village, Freeport to White Hall, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

The course will traverse the Southern Main Road towards the Churchill Roosevelt Highway using the new traffic light crossing, then at the Curepe junction runners will turn left and proceed onto the Priority Bus Route providing a safe and traffic-free course to South Quay.

We thank the Ministry of Works, Police and Defense Force and Coast Guard Services for their continued assistance in ensuring a safe race for all participants.

We thank all sponsors of the 2020 Festival of Events, Ministry of Sports, Tourism Trinidad, NLCB, Kiss, Blue Waters, Subway, Gatorade and the TT Olympic Committee for their continued support and collaboration in the realisation of such an event, said Henderson.

"We also could not have delivered this event without the assistance of All Sport Promotions.

We look forward to all supporters and spectators to come out and cheer the runners on, see you on course and at the finish line opposite White Hall! Visit the website www.ttmarathon.com or Race Roster portal for details."