Under a searing Sunday afternoon sun on March 9th, the children of the legendary businessman Ashley Brooks hosted the 30th annual Ashley Brooks Road Race in front of Ashley’s Supermarket in The Valley. The Ashley Brooks Road Race 2025 was a significant spectacle in sports for an intriguing Sunday afternoon activity, with prayers for the safety of the event offered by Pastor Elmead Allen.
Speaking on behalf of the Anguilla Amateur Athletic Association, Mr. Kareem Hodge said: “I would like to congratulate the family of Mr. Ashley Brooks for continuing this legendary activity for as many as thirty years.”
The spokesperson for the Brooks family was his daughter Connie Brooks who commented: “As a family, it gives us joy to be able …. to put on this race every year. This year is special to us seeing that it is the 30th anniversary of this race since our father established it in 1993. It is actually 32 years ago since the Ashley Brooks Road Races began, there being no races during Covid and the redevelopment of the Valley Main Road.” She wished all the participants great success in the races.
The block extending from Ashley’s storefront east to the St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, northward towards the Webster’s Park roundabout, and stretching west back to Ashley’s Supermarket was cordoned off from regular traffic. A police escort vehicle accompanied the many energetic road racers.
Crowds of spectators thronged the sides of Coronation Avenue to boost the courage of their favorite runners and teams with hundreds of excited onlookers cheering and reveling at the finish line as the racers came in one by one, sometimes in a close finish.
The competitions, in the form of relay runs and relay bicycle races, took place as is customary among the island’s primary schools as well as among the various colored houses of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. Additionally, there was a race contest for adults over 30.
After over three and a half hours of intense competitive fervor, all the teams came together on the parking lot as trophies were awarded to the winning participants.
Connie Brooks once again addressed the gathering: “I would like to thank everyone who came out today to make this 30th Ashley Brooks Road Race such a special success. We could never have don e it without you. From our family and the staff of Ashley’s we extend to you all our gratitude. We heartily thank you for your great support. And look forward to seeing your continued support in the future.”
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place results of the Races are as follows
For Primary Schools Girls Relay Races: 1st Place – Valley Primary School; 2nd Place – Adrian T. Hazell Primary School; and 3rd Place – Orealia Kelly Primary School. For Primary School Boys Relay Races: 1st Place – Valley Primary School; 2nd Place – Adrian T. Hazell Primary School; and 3rd Place – Orealia Kelly Primary School.
For Cycling Girls Relay: 1st Place – Valley Primary School; 2nd Place – Orealia Kelly Primary School; and 3rd Place – Adrian T. Hazell Primary School. For Boys Cycling Relay: 1st Place – Adrian T. Hazell Primary School; 2nd Place – Morris Vanterpool Primary School; and 3rd Place – Vivien Vanterpool Primary School.
For Inter-house Girls Relay : 1st Place – Pink House; 2nd Place – Orange House; and 3rd Place – Yellow House. For Inter- House Boys Relay: 1st Place – Yellow House; 2nd Place – Purple House; and 3rd Place – Orange House.
For Female Over-30 Runners: 1st Place – Tavia Nelson- Connor; 2nd Place – Selina Mlanba; and 3rd Place – Julianna Abraham. For Males Over-30 Runners: 1st Place – Justin Hodge; 2nd Place – Yariel Fleming; and 3rd Place – Johvie Martin.
The 30th Ashley Brooks Road Race events had served to set the stage for the subsequent Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Sports Day activities which took place on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025.
