Bafa Boycott

The NAAATT and Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs are reviewing safety protocols and sanctioning rules for public road races following the hit-and-run involving veteran runner Curtis Forbes during the Bafasports Midnight Marathon.

Forbes was struck along the Eastern Main Road in Mt Lambert and remains warded in hospital, raising concerns over race safety and oversight of unsanctioned events.

NAAATT president Ephraim Serrette says talks are underway to introduce stricter standards and a formal framework for road races, noting many events operate without official sanctioning.

Sport Minister Phillip Watts says the Ministry is prepared to work with stakeholders to strengthen safety guidelines going forward.

Anonymous Runner Remark regarding BAFA Midnight Marathon:

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How could a youth with a yellow team jersey pass me at least 3 times? Strangely I never overtook him during the race. It was so obvious I actually noticed it and told myself..he passing me again lol.

A friend also said he saw someone give another runner his bib. Bafa doesn't even have a timing strip at the turning point to make it a little difficult for cheaters.

Also how could the relay team get the same Marathon medal as a marathon runner?

This situation may explain why my preliminary placement is always changed by being placed 5-10 places lower in the final results in all 3 races.

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This is actually one of the concerns we have here about BAFA, but not a main one. They always claim that they will have "Electronic/Digital Timing "

However, at most times this is just a clock at the finish line.

For cost of the races (like the midnight marathon @ TT$380.00) you would hope that the races be chipped timing with at least a check point on the route.

Similar to say... UWI Half. Where it is chipped and there is a check point at the U-turn.

But they are not. Leaving it open for cheating and/or persons taking "shortcuts".

The audacity of this press release is honestly unbelievable.

BAFA states that “this incident is a heartbreaking reminder of why road safety is paramount in these endeavours.”

But that is exactly the issue. Road safety was NOT treated as paramount.

Runners were sent onto the Eastern Main Road with no cones, little to no police presence, inadequate traffic control, and a last-minute course diversion announced mere minutes before the race began. These are not small oversights. These are serious failures in race management and athlete protection.

You cannot claim commitment to safety after an incident while simultaneously ignoring the very precautions that help prevent incidents from happening in the first place.

This statement reads more like damage control than accountability.

The running community deserves honesty, transparency, and meaningful change! Not carefully worded public relations responses after someone ends up hospitalized.

Curtis Forbes is not just a headline. He is a veteran runner, a member of this community, and a human being who should have been protected by the organizers entrusted with athlete safety.

We continue to stand by what this page has been saying all along:

Runner safety in Trinidad and Tobago is being neglected.

Until proper standards, traffic management, emergency planning, and accountability are consistently implemented, we will continue to call for safer conditions and for runners to boycott BAFA events.

Also, this response that was clearly taken out of Chatgpt and is another response from BAFA that shows their lack of respect for the running community.

Veteran runner left critical after hit-and-run during BAFA Midnight Marathon; outrage grows over alleged lack of safety measures

Concern and outrage are mounting within Trinidad and Tobago’s running community after veteran athlete Curtis Forbes was reportedly struck in a hit-and-run incident during the BAFA Midnight Marathon along the Eastern Main Road.

Reports indicate that Forbes sustained serious injuries, including broken ribs, and remains warded in critical care following the incident.

The shocking development has triggered renewed criticism over safety conditions at road races, with members of the running fraternity accusing organisers of failing to implement adequate protections for participants.

Claims of poor race safety

Concerns intensified after allegations surfaced that sections of the Eastern Main Road used for the marathon reportedly lacked basic traffic control measures, including cones, visible police presence, and barriers to separate runners from live traffic.

Several persons within the running community also claimed that a diversion to the race route was allegedly communicated only minutes before the event began, causing confusion among participants.

Critics say the situation highlights longstanding concerns over race management and athlete safety during public road events.

Calls for accountability

In the wake of the incident, runners and supporters have begun calling for greater accountability, improved planning standards, and stricter safety protocols at future events.

Some within the community are now urging athletes to reconsider participating in BAFA-organised races until meaningful changes are implemented.

The incident has reignited wider debate over the responsibility of event organisers to ensure proper coordination with law enforcement and traffic management authorities during major road races.

Running community rallies around injured athlete

Messages of support and prayers continue to pour in for Forbes, his relatives, and fellow athletes as the veteran runner battles serious injuries.

The incident remains under discussion among members of the sporting community, with many describing the situation as a wake-up call for road race safety across Trinidad and Tobago.— Story by I.A.N News

If you have any information, WhatsApp me on 1 868 294 4081, or you can make an anonymous report at Ianalleyne.org

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Not sure if this means anything ...

We are deeply saddened to hear about veteran runner Curtis Forbes, who was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run incident along the Eastern Main Road during the BAFA Midnight Marathon. Reports indicate that he is currently in critical care suffering from broken ribs. Our thoughts and prayers are with Curtis, his family, friends, and the wider running community during this difficult time.

This is exactly what we have been speaking about on this page for a long time now. Time and time again, there appears to be little to no proper regard for runner safety. While unfortunate incidents can happen anywhere, basic safety measures should never be treated as optional.

On the Eastern Main Road we witnessed where there were no cones, no visible police presence, and no proper safeguards in place to protect runners from active traffic. To make matters worse, the diverted course was allegedly communicated only minutes before the race began.

That is unacceptable.

The running community deserves better planning, better communication, and above all, better safety standards. Runners should not have to put their lives at risk to participate in events they love.

This situation is shameful for BAFA, and it further reinforces why we will continue to advocate for safer running conditions in Trinidad and Tobago. We continue to call for accountability, transparency, and for runners to seriously consider boycotting BAFA events until meaningful changes are made.

Live update from the start of the bafa midnight marathon

Mess as per usual. No regard for runners

Late start. Confusing instructions.

Alex missed his turn onto Dundonald Street cus he was lef the wrong way. Had to make a u turn to get back on course

Utter nonsense

2:34am update in front of Food Basket******************

Runners have to run on the eastern main road for a short part

No police presence. No cones. No one to direct traffic.
So there are vehicles driving on the lane "blocked" for runners

Unsafe running conditions

Good Luck to all the runners doing the Midnight Marathon.

And also all of the runners running ECU on Mothers Day

BAFA decided to change dates without informing anyone of their midnight 10k. And now expect people to run their "pop up" midnight 10k. And take what they give yuh

How can anyone support this organization is beyond comprehension

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