The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

In preparation for Marathon Bahamas in January, distance runners will get the opportunity to wet their feet as they compete in the inaugural Bahamas Half Marathon and 10K race on Sunday morning.

The event is being organised by the Bahamas Roadmasters and the Wildside Online Inc. and is designed to coincide with training plans for Marathon Bahamas, scheduled for January 18-19. Participants in the latter event will get a chance to check their gauge, as far as their training goes, when they compete this weekend.

Shavonne Blades, one of the race organisers, said although it’s something new, participants and spectators alike can look forward to a quality event.

“For the first event, we expected the numbers to be higher, but we know how Bahamians go. They like to wait for the last minute,” Blades said. “So far, we have about 300 persons registered and 60 of them are from abroad. We are going to have at least 400 persons, so we’re getting close to our target.”

Blades, one of the country’s female marathon runners, said because of the event being held for the first time, some people would probably prefer to see how it goes. But she assured all of the skeptics that they can look forward to an exciting one that they hope to improve upon each year that it is held.

She noted that there are a number of local competitors who are preparing to run in Marathan Bahamas. The Bahamas Half, she noted, will provide the opportunity for these competitors to “take a look at where they are in their training and what adjustments they have to make before January.”

Participants will have a chance to decide on which aspect of the event they want to compete in - either the half marathon, a three-person half marathon relay or 10K race. All of the events are slated to begin at 6am November ? from Arawak Cay.

The gold sponsors are Bahamas Maritime ConneXion Limited, ISPS Maritime Security, Marine Surveys, Boat Inspections, ISPS Maritime Training, Port Facility Security Audits and the Port Facility Security Assessments & Plans.

Carpet World and JS Johnson are the silver sponsors. The bronze sponsors are Cash N Go, Gatorade, Diamond Consultant, Bahama Boat Tours, Bahamas Welding & Fire, the Royal Bank of Canada, Bahamas Waste and Pure Health Bahamas.

For the half marathon, competitors will leave Arawak Cay and head west along Bay Street, through Cable Beach and turn around before Caves Village and head back to the starting point.

For the relays, each team made up of three persons will all run the same distance. However, one person can run two legs and still have a two-person relay team.

For the 10K race, competitors will leave Arawak Cay and head west along Bay Street. They will traverse through Cable Beach and turn around on the new Cable Beach/West Bay Street road and turn back around and head to the finish line at Arawak Cay.

All finishers will receive a custom participant’s medal. Overall awards and age-group awards will be presented.

Participants have until 5pm Friday to complete their registration at the Sports Center’s Harbour Bay location where all pick-up packages will be distributed.