The spirit of youthful determination and community pride was on full display on Sunday, 8th March 2026, as the 31st Annual Ashley Brooks Road Race took over the South Valley streets. The eagerly anticipated event once again brought together primary school athletes, secondary school houses, families and supporters along the island’s capital streets.
Spectators lined the streets, creating a festive atmosphere as cheers echoed along the course.
All six of Anguilla’s public primary schools took part in the competition: Orealia Kelly Primary School (OKPS), Valley Primary School (VPS), Adrian T. Hazell Primary School (ATHPS), Allwyn Allison Richardson Primary School (AARPS), Morris Vanterpool Primary School (MVPS), and Vivien Vanterpool Primary School (VVPS). The programme maintained its long-standing format, featuring relay running races and relay bicycle events among the primary schools, alongside spirited inter-house races contested by the Maroon, Pink, Purple, Orange and Yellow houses of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
The race course traced a loop through the heart of The Valley, beginning at Ashley’s storefront and continuing east toward St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. From there, competitors headed north in the direction of the Webster’s Park roundabout before making their way westward along the route back to Ashley’s Supermarket.
Prior to the start of the main events, spokesperson for the Brooks family, Connie Brooks, offered a prayer for the athletes, asking for safety and sportsmanship throughout the races. She later assisted with the presentation of medals and trophies and delivered remarks thanking the many individuals and organisations who helped make the event possible.
“On behalf of the Ashley and Sons Road Race, I would like to say thanks to all who participated and made this road race a success,” she said. “We want to say thank you to all the viewing audience, all the coaches, teachers, and the Anguilla Amateur Athletics Association.”
Despite a sudden bout of inclement weather which forced organisers to cancel the planned Over 30s race, the main student competitions were successfully completed.
In the Primary Schools Girls Relay Race, Orealia Kelly Primary School captured first place, followed by Valley Primary in second and Adrian T. Hazell Primary in third. In the Primary Schools Boys Relay Race, Allwyn Allison Richardson Primary secured the top position, with Adrian T. Hazell Primary finishing second and Orealia Kelly Primary placing third.
The bicycle races also produced exciting finishes. In the Primary School Female Bikers category, Orealia Kelly Primary again took first place, with Valley Primary placing second and Adrian T. Hazell Primary third. Among the Primary School Male Bikers, Adrian T. Hazell Primary claimed victory, followed by Morris Vanterpool Primary in second and Allwyn Allison Richardson Primary in third.
The inter-house races among students of Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School added another layer of friendly rivalry to the day’s events. In the girls’ division, Pink House took first place, followed by Orange in second, Yellow in third, Maroon in fourth and Purple in fifth. The boys’ division saw Orange House emerge victorious, with Maroon placing second, Purple third, Yellow fourth and Pink fifth.
Attention now turns to the next major events in Anguilla’s school sports calendar. The Inter-Primary School Sports Day is scheduled for Wednesday, 1st April 2026, while Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School will continue to host a series of athletics activities beginning with field events on Wednesday, 11th March 2026, and Tuesday, 17th March 2026, followed by its bicycle race on Thursday, 12th March 2026, culminating in its annual Sports Day on Thursday, 19th March 2026.
By Janissa Fleming
