Saint Lucian long-distance athletes delivered strong performances on the international stage at the recently concluded Run Barbados race weekend, proudly representing the island against a field packed with elite competitors from across the Caribbean and beyond.
Nearly 3,000 runners and walkers participated in this year’s festival of racing, which unfolded over three days, beginning with the Fun Mile on Friday, followed by the 5K and 10K runs and the 5K walk on Saturday, before reaching its climax with the Half Marathon and Full Marathon on Sunday.
Among the top Saint Lucian finishers was seasoned runner Junior Joseph, who competed in the highly contested 10K and secured a 9th place overall finish with a sub-40-minute result, a performance he described as both personally rewarding and professionally significant.
“Thanks to my sponsor, Bank of Saint Lucia, for getting myself and Julien here to participate,” Joseph said. “The course is one of the best routes in Barbados for running it’s competitive and flat. I really enjoyed it. My goal was to run sub-40 based on my training, and I achieved that, so the atmosphere was wonderful.”
Joseph also highlighted the added importance of this year’s event, which achieved official World Athletics accreditation, meaning times posted during the races are now recognized internationally.
“The fact that the times are now World Athletics recognized means my performance is recognized worldwide, and that’s a huge plus for me as an athlete,” he added.
Beyond his strong overall placing, Joseph finished second in the Male 41–45 age category, narrowly behind Kenyan elite runner Alex Ekesa, further underscoring the competitive nature of the field.
Fellow Saint Lucian Julian Toussaint also delivered a commendable effort in the 10K, clocking 44 minutes and finishing 18th overall out of more than 200 runners. Despite not hitting his personal target time, Toussaint secured first place in the Male 46–50 category.
“It was a great course,” Toussaint said. “I didn’t do as well as I wanted to this time, but I really enjoyed it. The route is much better than last year, so I was pleased to be back.”
Adding fresh energy to Team Saint Lucia was novice runner Andrew Ismond, who made his Run Barbados debut after months of dedicated preparation.
“I’ve been training all year back in Saint Lucia for this weekend,” Ismond shared. “This was my first time racing here, and the experience was incredible. Being able to compete outside the island really tested my discipline and mental strength. The support along the course and the energy from the runners motivated me to push through every kilometre. I’m proud of myself for finishing and I’m already looking forward to coming back stronger next year.”
Ismond’s participation highlighted the growing depth of Saint Lucia’s long-distance running community, with both veterans and newcomers embracing international competition.
The performances of Joseph, Toussaint, Ismond, and their fellow compatriots added to the vibrant Caribbean presence at the event, showcasing not only athletic excellence but also the island’s expanding footprint in regional road racing.
As Run Barbados climaxed another successful year, Saint Lucia’s runners returned home with medals, strong performances, and valuable international racing experience, continuing to represent the island competitively on the regional and global stage.
