Stephen Njoroge will chase a hat-trick of T&T International Marathon (TTIM) titles on Sunday. The Kenyan won in 2018 and 2019, and wants to make it a three-time win in an attempt to catch up with Tobago’s Michael Alexander (four wins) and St Vincent and the Grenadines runner Pamenos Ballantyne (seven wins). Njoroge will be challenged by another Kenyan, Stephen Tanui.

Five-time women’s winner Leah Kigen will be among the contenders for the women’s title. She squares off against her fellow-Kenyan, reigning champion Grace Kahura, as well as Colombia’s Raquel Agudelo and another Kenyan, Everline Atancha.

The 26.2-mile race starts at 5am at St. Mary’s Junction, Freeport and finishes at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, opposite Whitehall. Slower runners and walkers will start at 3.30am. The course will traverse the Southern Main Road towards the Churchill Roosevelt Highway using the new traffic light crossing. At the Curepe junction, runners will turn left and proceed onto the Priority Bus Route for a safe and traffic-free course to South Quay.

Sjaelan Evans hopes to cross the finish line as the first local female, while veteran T&T road runner Curtis Cox has once again put his foot in the ring coming off several successful training days.

The TTIM Committee has partnered with two organisations in 2020: #TeamTTO Athlete Welfare & Preparation Fund; and Can Bou Play Mental Health. T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis will again walk the T&T Marathon course to raise funds for the #TeamTTO Athlete Welfare & Preparation Fund.

Ronald Balkaransingh, the TTIM road announcer who gave his services selflessly and passionately, passed away last year. He will be remembered for his dedication to the race.

The Festival of Events will commence with the TTIM Kiss National 5K at 4pm tomorrow (Saturday). The race starts at the Queen’s Park Savannah, near the top of Dere Street. Among the starters will be the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. The 5K will be followed by the TTIM Savannah Relay at 6.30pm at the Queens Park Savannah, opposite Whitehall.