North Windward Youth on the Move, a group founded by opposition senator Shervern John, held the inaugural Elma Francois Road Relay on Saturday.
The event saw athletes running from London Playing Field in Sandy Bay to Colly’s Shop at Mt Bentick, Georgetown.
The competition was opened to both males and females aged 11 to 25.
In the male open category, Owia Police Youth Club placed first in a time of 29:04:54.
The team comprised Denelson Nero, Doven Lavia, Jonte Peters, Kirk Baptiste, Leandreas Lavia and Renaldo Blugh
Georgetown Gladiators secured the second position in a time of 29:22:07, with their athletes, Brandell Stephen, Ashni Henry, Jermey Phillips, Ezary Bristol, Ushia Myall and Keivon Clarke
North Union Secondary School (NUSS) captured the third spot in a time of: 32:22:81.
The team was made up of Jermaine Ballantyne. Jaheim Durrant, Kyle Bowens, Kishia John, Diego Barker and Leon Browne.
In the female open category, Georgetown Gladiators placed first in a time of: 38:21:76, with their athletes Jennisha Cato, Patrina Patterson, Carissa Neptune, Joesha Burke, Tianna Sam and Juneka Quow.
Placing second was the NUSS in a time of: 40:16:76. The athletes were, Gabrielle Arrington, Jeniecee Billingy, Kerissa Peters, Tovonyia Thomas, Stay Neverson and Rianna Peters.
The Owia Police Youth Club was the other participating team.
The relay was named for Elma Francois, who was born in Overland on Oct. 14, 1897. She and her family moved to Sion Hill in 1902 after they were displaced as a result of the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano.
In 1919, at the age of 22, Francois migrated to Trinidad and became involved in social and political activism. She paid attention to the unemployed, blacks and underprivileged people. She died in 1944 and was a “national heroine of Trinidad and Tobago”on Oct. 14, 1987.
Coordinator of the six-leg relay, Senator Shevern John told the athletes that sports is a means of empowering themselves and there are many areas they can excel through participating in various sports.
At the end of the day’s activity participants and groups were presented with medals and trophies.