The John Pompey Foundation hailed the Pompey Golden Mile as a success after 42 athletes, aged four to 75, gathered on Saturday morning, August 1, to celebrate Emancipation Day along the Marisule-Bois d’Orange Highway. The race started at Northern Electrical and finished at Glace Supermarket.
The event had five athletes over 50, 16 under 15, and 21 under 20. One runner came from Kenya via Trinidad & Tobago. Five runners were from Dennery and Vieux Fort, and several club runners joined from the north of the island.
Kenyan runner Elex Ekesa won the men’s title with a time of 4:46.23. Asa Francis from Vieux Fort, who studies at Coppin State University, finished second in 4:51.38. Kenrick James took third place with a time of 5:22.34.
Maiya Landers, a high school runner based in the US, was the top female and top junior female, finishing in 6:27.03 and placing 14th overall. McKayla Olivier finished second among women with 6:27.48, and Jayla Sayers was third with 6:37.03.
Traie Constantine crossed the line in 5:43.59 as the first male junior. Sheba Jn Pierre topped the Under-15 girls at 8:14.41, and Kaylee O’Reilly ran 9:06.84 for the boys U15 title. Charles Sayers and Rose Marie Casimir were the oldest male and female runners. Samiel Williams and Melania Etienne were the youngest male and female finishers.
The Pompey Foundation, which supports youth and sports development, held the 2026 edition of its mile run to blend historical remembrance with athletic achievement.
“This year’s run was a monument to freedom,” said Pompey Foundation founder John Pompey. “Every stride taken on this historic day honours the path paved by past generations, proving that the pursuit of excellence is one of the truest expressions of liberty.
“We are indebted to Alex and all the other runners for coming out and celebrating strides of freedom with us. I want to say a special note of thanks to Morne Stars Athletics Club, who did most of the organisation on the ground, and the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, especially Patrick Mathurin, who supported starting and timing.”
The Pompey Foundation has donated barrels of sporting equipment, groceries, and food to several clubs across Saint Lucia. They have also hosted events like the Golden Mile for over a decade.
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