Trinidad & Tobago – Warm and Welcoming
Diane Henderson, Chairperson of the Trinidad & Tobago Marathon (“TTIM”) Committee was ready with numbers, information and smiles at the pre-race pasta party
“Fun, friendly and fast !” is how Virginia athletics lawyer Doug Landau would describe the Trinidad & Tobago Marathon races. From the helpful e-mails sent by the race committee and genuine affability of everyone connected with the events, it was one of the most enjoyable sports events Landau has participated in anywhere in the world. How many foreign races will let you register online and then pay when you actually get to the event ? What international race venue gives you a choice of what starting time you would prefer ? And how many race weekends will let you compete in multiple events ?
Race announcer Bruce Lauckner at the Trinidad & Tobago Marathon and Half Marathon finish line with Herndon Virginia’s international racing lawyer Doug Landau
“With chip timing, bag drop, plenty of pre- and post-race refreshments and DJs and steel bands providing music, this was a well-run weekend of races,” added Landau, who has competed in over 25 states and 10 countries. Picking up our packets at the Marathon pasta party enabled us to meet several of the important people whose efforts caused the race to be such a success. Diane Henderson, Chairperson of the Trinidad & Tobago Marathon (“TTIM”) Committee had our numbers and was able to answer questions for “out of towners” like us ! The race also has its own FaceBook page
Bruce Lauckner, TTIM Public Relations, not only anticipated our needs, but served as an outstanding race announcer. His style is reminiscent of the commentators for the Tour De France and English Soccer games. His “play-by-play” was exciting, knowledgeable and entertaining.
After the pasta party at the Normandie Hotel, we met Francis Williams-Smith, Race Director, whose tireless efforts and sense of humor helped in the face of 4 “point to point” races over 2 days in the center of Port of Spain. Imagine putting on a 4 x 1,000M schools relay and then a 5 km. around Central Park in New York City and the next morning have a Half Marathon and then a Marathon (with 2 different starting times allowed in the latter event !) also finishing in a 20 hour period, with participants coming from all over the world ! Not an easy thing to pull off. But pull it off they did, with smiles, sweat and an infectious rhythm that causes runners and tourists to come back to this warm and welcoming island nation just off the coast of Venezuela.