Robinson targets first Chairman’s Cup victory

Having finished on the podium during each of her three previous attempts, Carlie Robinson hopes to secure victory during Sunday’s CARICOM Chairman’s Cup Elite 10K, in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

Robinson, who finished second last year following two previous third place finishes, will be joined by Joshua Hunte as the two Barbadian representatives.

Joshua Hunte. (Photo Credit: CR)

She told Barbados TODAY she always looks forward to the race, to test herself against the best competitors from around the region.

“Each CARICOM member state will send two designated athletes, a male and a female, to represent them. So it’s a very good opportunity to compete at a very strong level. Historically, I’ve done really well in this race and I’ve always been on the podium, but I’ve not won yet. 

“So this year, I really, really want to win this race and bring home the top position and when you get the top position, you get the Chairman’s Cup. 

I really want to bring that home for Barbados,” she explained.

Despite planning to put her all into the event, Robinson says success is still not guaranteed, due to the high level of competition which will be expected.

She however heads into the race in good form.

“I’ve been working hard all season and I tend to put in a lot of consistent work, so I feel confident in myself. I’m gonna try not to think about time, but I really want to run for position so I’m gonna approach the race in a strategic way,” she revealed.

Robinson continued, “So it’ll be an exciting way to approach it I think, and I’ll need to react based on what other people do, but I’m very confident going in and I think that I can  at least be in a strong position to control the race or most of the race. I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

The Barbadian pair will compete against the Caribbean’s best distance runners as part of the annual CARICOM Road Run/Walk, one of the flagship events held in tandem with the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.

The series was established in 2005 to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage greater physical activity across the region, as part of CARICOM’s ongoing fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 

The 2025 edition was staged in Montego Bay, Jamaica.