ROHRMAN SPORTS ASSOCIATION

Jamaican & French Legends Headline AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest 2025

 The AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest is set to deliver an electrifying weekend of endurance sports on April 19-20, 2025, with two decorated athletes leading the charge. Jamaican distance-running champion Garfield Gordon and French swimming and triathlon legend Benjamin Sanson will headline this year’s event, setting the stage for a thrilling showcase of competition and athletic excellence.

Adding to the excitement, the Ministry of Sports has officially become the latest partner and sponsor of the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest, further solidifying the event’s status as a premier sports tourism attraction in Antigua & Barbuda.

Jamaican Running Champion Garfield Gordon Joins the Challenge in the 25K Trail Race

Jamaican distance-running legend Garfield Gordon will test his endurance on Antigua’s rugged trails, competing in the 25K Trail Race against elite contenders, including former Olympian David Hauss and Antigua’s top runner Kamar Thomas.

Gordon, a three-time national cross-country champion, boasts impressive personal bests, including:

• 1:12:47 – Half Marathon

• 31:43 – 10K

• 14:57 – 5K

Fresh off victories such as the EU-JA 10K Run and a strong runner-up finish at the 2024 Reggae Half Marathon, Gordon is primed for a fierce battle on Antigua’s challenging terrain. The 25K course, featuring 1,200 meters of elevation gain, will push athletes to their limits as they navigate breathtaking landscapes, including Fishers Hill, Farley Bay, Tucks Point, Cade Peak, Cherry Hill, and Cade Peak, before finishing at the stunning Morris Bay.

French Swimming Icon Benjamin Sanson Returns to Defend His Unbeaten Streak

Legendary open-water swimmer Benjamin Sanson will return to Antigua to compete in the 4K Open Water Swim, aiming to maintain his undefeated record in swimming events in Antigua since his first appearance in 2012. The 54-year-old Frenchman has dominated a decade of competition, winning events including:

• 10K Swim

• 8K Swim

• 1500m Swims

• Half-Iron Distance Triathlons

• Olympic Distance Triathlons

Sanson’s only recorded defeat in the region came on Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, at the hands of fellow French triathlon star Aurélien Raphaël. This year, local and regional swimmers have a chance to challenge Sanson’s legacy and break his unbeaten streak in Antigua.

With career-best swim times of 1:49 in the 200m freestyle, 3:47 in the 400m, 7:51 in the 800m, and 15:00 in the 1500m, Sanson remains a formidable force in open-water competition. His elite swimming prowess was further highlighted by his performance at the 2011 Challenge Roth, where he completed the swim leg in a blistering 46 minutes and 15 seconds.

David Hauss to Return for Another Thrilling Showdown

The AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest will also welcome back Olympian David Hauss, a fourth placed finisher at the Olympics and a 2015 European champion. Hauss’s return further elevates the competition, setting up an epic clash between Hauss, Gordon, and Thomas in the 25K Trail Race.

A Festival of Endurance and Adventure

The AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest offers multiple race options to suit athletes of all levels:

• Trail Runs: 7K, 15K, 25K

• Open Water Swims: 2K, 4K

• Kids’ Triathlons

Each race showcases Antigua’s spectacular scenery, from its pristine beaches to its lush, mountainous trails, making it a must-attend event for endurance athletes worldwide.

Sponsorship & Community Support

This year’s event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors:

Title Sponsor:

• AUA – American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Event Sponsors:

• Cool & Smooth

• Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority

• The Ministry of Sports

• Caribbean Alliance Insurance

• Galley Bay Resort & Spa

• Antigua VIP Tours

• Doctor’s Clinic

• Molihawk House

• Derek Barret

• Island Provision (Acqua Panna & Pellegrino)

• Rocks Group

• Nicholson

• Second Star Sailing

• SO Ltd

• H&G Paints

• Margrie Hunt

• Frank Wall Ltd

• Tropic Ace, Antigua’s premier beach, sport, and active lifestyle store

• Tropic Bliss Spa

• Dadli Directory

Partners:

• Good Humans 268

• Hurricane Power Athletic Club

• The Royal Police Force

• The Defence Force

• The Coast Guard

• The Urlings Fisheries

• National Olympic Committee

• Antigua & Barbuda Triathlon Association

Register Now & Beat Late Registration Fees

Athletes are encouraged to register now to secure their spot before late registration fees take effect on March 11, 2025. Register online at raceroster.com/events/2025/95099/aua-rohrman-2025 or at designated locations, including H&G Paints on Dickenson Bay Road, The Beehive Learning Center, and Energie Gym.

About the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest

Now in its 11th edition, the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest is Antigua & Barbuda’s premier endurance sports event, blending world-class competition with breathtaking scenery. It celebrates health, camaraderie, and sports tourism, attracting elite and amateur athletes from across the globe. With events designed to challenge and inspire, the festival continues to grow as a flagship sporting event in the Caribbean.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact: Rory Butler 268 771 3825