The Tribune

Under the patronage of Mr and Mrs William Delancey, the Road Runners Track and Field Club held its 15th annual Awards and Presentation Banquet in the Grand Ballroom at the Atlantis resort on Saturday night.

Athletes took advantage of this unique opportunity to kick off their tennis shoes to show us how glamorous they can be. Supporters came out in great numbers, not willing to be outdone, dressed better than their Sunday’s best.

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Dominate the Impossible, Conquering the Unknown Discovering Strength.’

The guest speaker was Paul Moss and the invited guests included Desmond Bannister, Mike Sands, Harrison Petty and Tim Munnings, who all gave the athletes words of encouragement, each telling in his own way what it means to ‘Dominate the Impossible.’

With this multitude of wisdom, the athletes surely left with a renewed sense of determination for success.

The event eventually ended with the top athletic award, Athlete of The Year, being presented to under- 8 girls Nasia Brown and Olivia Spence, under-8 boy Trent Ford, under-12 girls Rowlia Joseph and Amari Mackey, under-10 boys Bernard Kemp and Daniel Ermilus, under-14 girl Paige Gilbert, under-14 boy Jahmal Brown, under-16 female Esther Cartwright, under-18 males Hartley Sands and Michael Adderley, under-20 males Sheldon Ferguson and Geno Forbes, and open female Sara Mackey.

These athletes truly persevered the past season and were well deserving of this award.

Finally, the Dominique Higgins award, the most prestigious award of the night, was a very close race. This award is given to the athlete that achieves the highest grade point average in the entire club.

This year it was presented to Iesha Hanna, Trent Ford, Jenero Knowles, Edoney Russell, Leonardo Taylor, Chelsee Chea and T’khya Bain.

Throughout the night and in between awards presentations, the MC for the event, the hilarious David Wallace, created a jovial atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie that no one is likely to forget.

Head coach Dexter Bodie really outdid himself in putting together an outstanding ceremony that highlights and uplifts the academic and athletic achievements of the athletes of his organisation.

Next year, through God, the Roadrunners hope to put on another successful event that honours all that is positive in the youth of our country.