The excitement was evident, with enclaves of people riveted around the novelty event or some item in the Kids Park, or eyes piercing to see what the action was taking place on the course for the cross country races. The Ms. CariFin never fails to be the biggest attraction as the crowd gathered around to see who will wear the crown of Ms. CariFin 2006. The evening ended with the finals of the tug-o-war, that "bong" to cause excitement at the end of the event.

Regrettably, the day started at 12.30 p.m. rather than the advertised 10.30 am time, but we therefore picked up the pace on the running of the events. Once things were started, it was action down the line!

The official opening was done by Dr. Ronald Ramkissoon – Senior Economist, Republic Bank Limited, followed by the "Meeting of Teams" by CariFin Chairman Hollis De Four, Senior Manager- Corporate Services at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. Team leader after team leader come forward to the microphone and introduced their teams. It was so insightful to know a little bit about the teams in CariFin 2006 and how they felt about participating in this year’s event.

Action swung into full gear as the adult novelty competition took center stage, with 4 legged events, beer drinking, balloon race etc, and had everyone roaring for their team representatives. Each event caused revelry from participants and supporters alike. The CariFin Kool Kid’s Games Park was just that – excitement for the kids. The Fruta Cool Kids games, Computer Games, together with the traditional novelty events, like sack races, relays etc. had the kids going non-stop with activity and exhilaration.

The first race kicked off the athletics section at 2:25 pm and every time a race was called, whether it be the kid’s cross country, walking race or fun run, the response was the same, participants were excitingly nervous to get to the starting line and take on the challenge of the Sevilla Golf Course, the competition and the weather.

The kid’s race had over 80 participants, as they streamed along the pitch roadway to the grass course, a long line stretched along the course as the young ones started off the day’s athletic events. They all received finisher’s medals and cash prizes in various age – groups.

The Female Cross Country Race was two laps around the 2.2 K. This race was one of those races where you could fell the tension from just watching the line-up. Thoughts must be running through the women’s minds as to whether they could make the two laps, how they will handle the "undulating" terrain and the humidity, and wondering if their energy level would enable them to do their best.

The race was off and the business of running was being adhered to, by the time they touched the grass and started on the course, everyone adjusted to the environment and terrain. Just when they went up a rolling hill and thought, I have done well after coming down the incline, in their face, was another rolling hill. For those unprepared or unfamiliar it is something that could break one’s spirit. For those without heart and soul, they will pick up themselves and go gain.

Wendy D’arbasie was in the lead for most of the first round of the course, as the race was coming to the second lap Natalie Suite of UTC figured out what the course was like and started to make her move.

She began to enjoy the cross country experience of up hills and down hills, tight turns, jumping drains and took command of the last lap of the course.

She flowed around the meandering course wishing to bring it in for her team – UTC. She was heading into finishing, one more hill before she reached the finish line, she didn’t even feel that hill, as all she saw was the finish line and she surged to cross it, bringing home the women’s title for UTC.

The men’s race was three laps around the course, a total distance of 7.5K. There were all the ingredients for excitement, with Guyana’s entrant Alvin Alleyne promising before the race to be in the top three. The RBTT representative Nikosi McLeish, who performed well in the Urban Challenge events and the favorite Richard Jones, who won the Point Fortin Borough Day ½ marathon earlier in the day, also entered in this race.

The race started and Richard Jones threw caution to the wind and led from the front of the pack. When he hit the course was him alone in front... him and the terrain. He played "look and see" for a while and when no one challenged him he forced the pace, smartly letting gravity take him down and up each hills, making light work of the undulating terrain. Nothing caused friction in his movement, it was flowing, smooth and effortless, round after round he kept command of the race.

When the finish line was insight, he gathered the will to summon his best effort to climb the last hill as he approached the crowd at the finish line, which urged him along with applause, to win a race well run.

The Ms. CariFin contest was again the gem of the day, with five contestants vying for the prestigious title of Ms. CariFin 2006. These young ladies represented their institutions, Republic Bank, Central Bank, RHAND Credit Union, ALGICO and First Citizens. They were made-up by representatives of Sacha Cosmetics as they prepared for the event, to all look like queens.

To take part in this event they would have participated in one of the events on the day and were chosen by their institution to represent them in this competition. They were judged on a five minutes aerobic routine, where things like muscle tone, muscle coordination, flexibility etc was evaluated. There was a question and answer part that followed and based on how well they answered these questions, as well as overall participation in the other segments of the competition, the Ms. CariFin 2006 was determined.

After a very nervous wait, Ms. Central Bank was crowned Ms. CariFin 2006, she answered her question quite intelligently, and was very coordinated in the aerobic routine. She was also quite outgoing and friendly. In second place was Ms. ALGICO – Makeisha Augustine, while third place went to Republic Bank’s Danielle Alexis.

The Day ended with the finals of the tug of war between RHAND Credit Union and Central Bank. Central Bank emerged overall winners. The crowd was very voracious in their support for their teams, but all in all it was real fun for everyone. CariFin 2006 must go down in the annals of history of having the most excitement and energy from event to event…. The camaraderie, sportsmanship and friendship were unbelievable. We thank everyone for making CariFin 2006 a big success. The teams from Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica were happy to be at CariFin 2006 and look forward to bringing bigger teams in 2007.