The historic Marabella Mile returns for its 2026 edition with significant enhancements, transforming into the Marabella Mile and Relay Festival with expanded categories and increased financial rewards for athletes. Scheduled for January 18 from 2 PM, the event marks a crucial early-season competition on Trinidad and Tobago’s athletic calendar.
San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris and Sports Committee Chairman Daniel Dookie joined National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA TT) president Ephraim Serrette in endorsing the event’s expansion during its official launch at San Fernando City Hall on January 6. The festival now incorporates relay competitions alongside the traditional one-mile race while extending age-group categories and implementing equal prize money for male and female competitors across all divisions.
The prize structure demonstrates substantial investment in athlete development. Top-tier mile race winners will receive $1,200, with descending awards of $900, $700, $500, $400, and $300 for subsequent placements. Youth categories (U15, U17, U20) offer $300, $200, and $100 prizes, while masters divisions have been expanded to include 40-49, 50-59, and 60-plus age groups with $400, $300, and $200 rewards respectively.
Mayor Parris emphasized the event’s alignment with the city’s developmental policies, stating: ‘We continue on the trajectory of our developmental policy as a city where we contribute towards sports, tourism, culture, arts, and education.’ He specifically acknowledged TECU Credit Union’s sponsorship role in reviving the staple event after its successful 2025 return.
NAAA TT president Serrette recognized the event’s importance in launching the competitive season, noting: ‘We commend TECU for this initiative. There are many road events on the calendar, and we are pleased to see the TECU Marabella Mile included.’
Elite athletes including national distance-runner Nicholas Romany and rising sensation Aniqah Bailey endorsed the event’s competitive value as an early-season benchmark. Romany observed that ‘sports are evolving and bringing people together,’ while double World Championships medalist Machel Cedenio praised the inclusion of relay events.
The masters community welcomed the expanded categories, with National Masters Association president Sheldon Mason promising strong participation: ‘Masters is in full support of the Marabella Mile and we will come out in our numbers.’
Boxer Tianna Guy, who attended the launch, confirmed her participation, noting that ‘running is part of boxing preparation. Initiatives like this support athlete development and promote health and well-being.’
TECU Credit Union president Sandra Matthews-Noel reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to youth development and gender equality, highlighting equal prize money as a fundamental principle. The sponsorship coincides with TECU’s 80th anniversary of operations, adding significance to their community investment.