For some time now, there has been some curious activity along the Diego Martin Highway very early every Sunday morning. From the Sierra Leone intersection to that at Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard, cars and other vehicles have been replaced by persons of all ages complete with bikes, helmets, roller skates, skateboards or simply sneakers and other workout-appropriate clothing.

It seems that the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has partnered with the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago to block off that section of the highway (from Sierra Leone to Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard) to create an area for residents of Diego Martin and environs to exercise every Sunday morning from 6 to 9 am.

The project entitled “Keep Moving” Family and Fitness Sundays, which is being managed by former national cyclist Michael Phillips and his team at Phillips Promotions initially ran for a trial period from August 3rd to 31st 2008. According to Phillips, the project is geared at creating a safe atmosphere to facilitate physical activity and to encourage families and friends to come out and exercise together, while spending much needed quality time with each other.

Phillips said that the project was initially inspired when he noticed there was a lack of “green space” for physical activity from St. James all the way to Diego Martin. He also commented on the fact that many residents had taken to running, jogging and / or walking along the highway; a very dangerous practice.

Following overwhelming responses from both civilian and corporate participants, the project has continued every Sunday since with the addition of intense aerobics sessions every week from 7 am.

“Keep Moving” has also facilitated several other fun activities.

On September 28th, former Pan Am and CAC Games Champion Cheryl Ann Sankar and her team of youngsters gave participants an exciting taste of Tae Kwondo.

Following that, on December 28th, the Adventist Youth Heart to Heart Project held “Ride Discrimination Out” a fun ride to send an anti-discrimination message.

Also on that day, The Beacon Insurance put on a special “post-Christmas” edition of their Cycle Smart programme which teaches kids road safety skills and the importance of helmets when riding among other tools and rules to “cycle smart.”

The “Keep Moving” project seems to be gaining great popularity among residents as the number of participants continues to grow consistently. Parents and children, fitness enthusiasts, even freestyle riders and skaters are seen every week and they continue to praise the project as well as give suggestions for ways in which they believe it can be improved.

For more information on the Keep Moving project call

624-MIKE (6453).