After nearly a decade of coming just short of the top spot, Barbadian long-distance runner Carlie Robinson secured her long-awaited breakthrough victory on Sunday, crossing the finish line first to claim the CARICOM Chairman’s Cup Elite 10K title in Saint Lucia.
For years, Robinson has steadily built her reputation as a consistent contender at this annual elite race, but gold always remained out of reach. Heading into Sunday’s competition, the distance runner held three previous podium finishes: two third-place placements and one second-place showing. This win marks the first time she has stepped onto the highest step of the podium, a milestone that stands as one of the most defining moments of her professional running career.
Speaking in an interview with Barbados TODAY following her win, Robinson opened up about the mix of relief and excitement she felt after crossing the finish line. “I was extremely happy with this result. I have wanted to win this race for almost ten years and it finally came to fruition for me. It was not a guarantee on Sunday,” she said.
The experienced runner shared that the challenging race course nearly threw her plans off course before she could even contend for the top spot. “The course was very hilly, which does not play to my strength and for the first half of the race, I was concerned I would not make the podium as I was a bit behind,” Robinson explained. Despite the shaky start, she leaned into her years of training and mental toughness to turn the race around. “But I applied patience and just trusted in my fitness, and slowly I made my way back up,” she added.
Robinson also expressed surprise and satisfaction with her final finishing time, clocking in at 39 minutes and 31 seconds. That mark stands as her fastest time ever recorded at the CARICOM 10K event, an achievement she did not expect given the hilly terrain. “I was also happy with my time – 39.31 on a challenging course, it’s my quickest time for the CARICOM 10k race and that surprised me,” she said.
Looking back at what kept her motivated through the tough first half of the race, Robinson credited pre-race words of encouragement from her mother, who reminded her of her capabilities just 24 hours before the starting gun went off. “Last night (Saturday) my mother told me ‘you can do anything’ so I just held those words in my head and kept working through and finally got the result I wanted,” Robinson said.
She also shared that she had made a promise to a key supporter of Barbadian athletics ahead of the race, and was eager to deliver on that commitment. “I also told Director of the National Sports Council, Neil Murrel, who is very supportive of Barbados’ involvement in this race, that I was going to bring home the win so I will be happy to let him know we got it!” she added.
Robinson was not the only Barbadian competitor to turn in a strong performance at the event. Fellow Barbadian runner Joshua Hunte joined her at the competition, and narrowly missed out on a podium spot in the men’s Elite 10K, finishing just outside the top three in fourth place with a commendable showing.
The 2024 CARICOM Chairman’s Cup Elite 10K is one of several headline events being held alongside the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which is currently taking place in Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia. (Photo Credit: CARICOM Facebook)