The streets of Anguilla pulsed with colour, competition and sheer determination on Friday, 20th February 2026, as students of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) took to the road for their Annual Interhouse Road Race Competition.
Long Path was transformed into a corridor of house pride. A vibrant tide of Pink, Orange, Maroon, Purple and Yellow jerseys gathered at Tropical Distributors before moving towards the finish line at the James Ronald Webster Park in The Valley. Junior and senior boys and girls, teachers and school faculty alike faced the same challenge: endure the distance, beat the clock, and secure crucial points for their houses ahead of the school’s Interhouse Sports Day, scheduled for Thursday, 19th March 2026.
The race was no ceremonial jog. The February sun bore down relentlessly, testing stamina and resolve. Yet the runners pressed on, the seasoned athletes, of course, vied for the top position – some even participating in warm up sessions ahead of the race. Other students strategically paced themselves. To earn a point for their house, participants had to cross the finish line before the allotted time expired.
By the time the first runners began entering the park, the atmosphere had shifted from tense anticipation to electric celebration.
Competition was fierce across all divisions. In the Junior Girls category, Keiarah Webster of Pink House powered to first place, successfully defending her 2025 title. She was followed by Codeyjah Connor of Yellow House in second and Ajanique Bowens of Purple House in third. D’miyah Connor of Pink House, who also placed fourth in 2025, maintained her position this year, while Tai’Shynae Carty of Purple House rounded out the top five.
The Junior Boys race saw Auraun Lawrence of Maroon House claim first place honours, with Romare Forbes of Orange House finishing second and Deon Gaj of Pink House third. Dante Peter of Yellow House secured fourth, and Ochieng Mkoba of Purple House placed fifth.
In the Senior Girls division, Christen Fleming of Pink House once again demonstrated her dominance, defending her 2025 title with another first-place finish. Reynah Lico of Orange House repeated her second-place success from last year, followed by teammate Cynné Liburd in third. Lakaysha Marcelle of Pink House, mirroring her 2025 result, finished fourth, while Amyiah Carty of Maroon House secured fifth.
The Senior Boys category delivered an intense showdown, with Reikai Rodgers and Ephraim Hughes-Hodge — both of Purple House — taking first and second respectively. Adrian Charles of Maroon House maintained his third-place standing from 2025, while Calequan Julius of Orange House finished fourth and Ta-jique Wilson of Maroon House claimed fifth.
Behind the scenes, the event once again benefited from the steadfast support of the Fairplay Group of Companies, the official sponsor of the race for the past 21 years. Addressing students before the start, Mr. Quinson Gumbs, on behalf of Fairplay, encouraged participants to “run hard and strong but also stay positive,” reaffirming the company’s continued commitment to youth development and athletics at ALHCS.
When the final tallies were confirmed, Pink House, again, emerged victorious, amassing 154 points. Orange House followed closely with 146 points, Purple House earned 140, Maroon House 136, and Yellow House 134. The narrow margins between houses promise an even fiercer battle when students reconvene for the upcoming sporting events and the finale, Sports Day.
For now, however, the road race belongs to Pink House — and to every student who braved the heat, pushed through fatigue, and left a measure of themselves on the streets between Long Path and The Valley.
The next major event on the ALHCS athletics calendar will be the Ashley Brooks Road Race, set for Sunday, 8th March 2026.
By Janissa Fleming
