Trinidad and Tobago Hiking 6th Annual Hike-a-thon
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 16 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,927 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 2,884 ft
- Max elevation
- 508 ft
- TrailRank
- 36
- Min elevation
- -61 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 5 hours 43 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1859
- Uploaded
- May 24, 2015
- Recorded
- May 2015
near Matelot, Sangre Grande (Republic of Trinidad and Tobago)
Viewed 1328 times, downloaded 12 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
On Saturday 23rd May, 2015 Island Hikers will host their 6th annual Hike-a-thon. The event is a walk or run along the remote beaches of the North Coast and starts 6.30am from Matelot and finishes at the Spring Bridge in Blanchisseuse. The annual Hike-a-thon known as the greatest hiking expedition attracts a combination of three hundred hike enthusiasts. Some do it to enjoy the splendor of nature, other brisk walkers and professional athletes challenges themselves for the reputation of King of the Coast and the fastest man on the trails. It’s an opportunity to see some of Trinidad’s beautiful North Coast beach accessible only by trekking. These beaches such as Cachipa, Madamas, Grand and Petit Tacarib, Murphy Bay and Paria remains uninhabited and provide nesting grounds for the leatherback turtles. Along the way, one can stop for a quick refresher at the river mouths of Madamas and Paria Bay.
It estimated that the distance from Matelot to Blanchisseuse is 19.7 miles and will take the average fit person to complete between 3 1/2 to 9 hours. The event recommended for experienced or physically fit persons accustom to walking long distances. Upon completion, each participant rewarded with a commemorative t-shirt, medal and a host of goodies and refreshments. Over the years, the competitors timing seem to be improving and getting faster and faster. Last year's winner Roger Rojas completed the Hike-a-thon in a record breaking time of 3.06 hours with his closest competitor for 2nd place Francois Joseph 3.22 hours and 3rd place Cantius Thomas 3.48hours. Among the ladies for a third consecutive year 1st place Gillian Mendez 5.15, 2nd Place Luann Harper 5.34hrs and 3rd Place Alicia Conyat 5.50 hours. Also, the oldest and youngest male and female received trophies all assisted by Sportt.
To participate in the Hike-a-thon pre-registering required and registration forms available from www.islandhikers.com. Transportation provided 2am to Matelot and later in the afternoon return from Blanchisseuse. At the finish line a St.Johns Ambulance team available to assist hikers.
It estimated that the distance from Matelot to Blanchisseuse is 19.7 miles and will take the average fit person to complete between 3 1/2 to 9 hours. The event recommended for experienced or physically fit persons accustom to walking long distances. Upon completion, each participant rewarded with a commemorative t-shirt, medal and a host of goodies and refreshments. Over the years, the competitors timing seem to be improving and getting faster and faster. Last year's winner Roger Rojas completed the Hike-a-thon in a record breaking time of 3.06 hours with his closest competitor for 2nd place Francois Joseph 3.22 hours and 3rd place Cantius Thomas 3.48hours. Among the ladies for a third consecutive year 1st place Gillian Mendez 5.15, 2nd Place Luann Harper 5.34hrs and 3rd Place Alicia Conyat 5.50 hours. Also, the oldest and youngest male and female received trophies all assisted by Sportt.
To participate in the Hike-a-thon pre-registering required and registration forms available from www.islandhikers.com. Transportation provided 2am to Matelot and later in the afternoon return from Blanchisseuse. At the finish line a St.Johns Ambulance team available to assist hikers.
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The trail itself is a very technical one especially the first 2-3 miles. There are lots of underlying roots and rocks in this portion. One always have to excercise caution especially as the only way out is to walk or be carried out.
Thanks to all the sponsors and organizers for yet again a fun-filled excited event. So almost everyone was pushing to better their times from previous years. Due to the heat and humidity, it takes a great toll with nearly everyone including the front runners suffering from cramps. Personnally I upped my nutrition this year with one bottle of Heed and a two hour bottle of Perputum in addition to 2 litres of water. I also used about 5 Fizz tablets to replace lost electrolytes. I also walked with 2 home-made nutrition bars made of peanut-butter, oats, dates, walnuts, pumpkin seeds,dried fruits, 2 bars of dark chocolate and baked with an egg.
Last year a time of 6 hours and 3 minutes was attained by non-stop walking including power walking up the hills. To go under this time some jogging is required. Many inexperience hikers hit the trail too hard and slows down after about 3-4 hours on the trail when their glycogen stores run out. The trick is to save some energy for the second half where you still have to power up "Kilimanjaro hill" after Paria.