A new community fitness initiative is bringing together Antigua and Barbuda’s national defense force and public health sector to encourage active lifestyles across the island nation. The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) has partnered with the national Ministry of Health to launch the Poppy Run: Last Man Standing Socarobics Monthly Challenge, an endurance event open to all residents that will kick off later this August.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 22 at the iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the challenge is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. local time, offering an evening of physical activity and community connection for attendees of all backgrounds. Unlike traditional timed races that reward speed, this event centers on stamina: participants will push their physical limits in a continuous socarobics routine, with the final competitor still active at the end of the challenge taking home the top honor. Event organizers have confirmed that the champion will receive a special prize for their endurance.
To ensure the event is accessible to the whole community, organizers have set affordable entry fees: adult participants will pay an admission of 10 Eastern Caribbean dollars, while children under 12 years old can join for just 5 Eastern Caribbean dollars.
This monthly endurance challenge is not a standalone event—it serves as one of the lead-up activities for the annual Poppy Run, a well-established community fitness tradition in Antigua and Barbuda. Organizers are encouraging all attendees to come prepared with workout gear, ready to get their bodies moving, embrace an active routine, and enjoy a fun, fitness-focused evening surrounded by fellow community members.
Both the ABDF and the Ministry of Health have issued public calls for participation, emphasizing that the initiative is open to people at every fitness level, from beginner exercisers to seasoned athletes. Beyond the competition, the event’s core mission is to advance public health, support ongoing wellness education, and strengthen community bonds through shared physical activity.