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Uncle Lou Adderley Fun Run/Walk Race

Runners compete in the 9th Annual Uncle Lou Adderley Fun Run/Walk Race on Saturday. Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Two former students returned to join two visitors in winning their respective divisions of the ninth annual Uncle Lou Adderley Fun Run/Walk Race on Saturday.

The early morning riser began from Rawson Square and ended up in front of the St Augustine’s College administration building. The event was held by SAC’s Alumni Association in honour of the late Adderley, the immediate past principal of St Augustine’s College.

The run, which was extended to cover both the Sir Sidney Poitier and the Paradise Island bridges, saw Ronald Kemp and Yunelis Lightbourne make a successful debut.

“We had a great run going up and coming down the bridges,” Kemp said. “I had a nice pace coming off the bridge when we went on Village Road and to Bernard Road, when we dropped Sidney Collie and brought it home.”

Kemp, the winner of the under-20 division, finished the run in 40 minutes and 15 seconds in a photo finish with his training partner, Troy Seymour. But unfortunately, Seymour wasn’t registered and so he wasn’t eligible for any trophy.

Lightbourne, the Cuban native now married and living in the Bahamas, took the ladies’ segment in 44.11 as she placed fourth overall.

“It was pretty good. It was challenging because we had a couple hills and the bridges included,” she said. “It was a challenging race. The weather was kind of humid, but it’s always good to come out and give your best in the race. We can use it as part of the training as well because it was intense.”

Lightbourne, a member of J-Fitness, said she was injured last year, so she was thrilled to be a part of this year’s event.

In the walk race, which was held minus the bridges, alumni Ivan Miller, a 1985 graduate and Sharon Simms-Simmons, who completed her six-year tenure in 1980, were the respective champions.

For Miller, it was great to come back to SAC and win the men’s segment of the walk. He completed the course in 53.14.

“It’s a good feeling. It was nostalgic coming all the way back up to SAC and this time walking, not running,” the former distance runner said. “I had some good memories, seeing some of my class-mates and some of the other people, who I haven’t seen in many years.

“Just the memories of walking around the campus and remembering those 30-plus years ago i,s something that I will cherish.”

Simms-Simmons was back for her seventh appearance and she picked up fourth title in the women’s walk, adding to her triumph in 2008 and 2009 as well as 2012.

“It feels good to win it again,” said the former versatile athlete, who specialized in swimmer, competed for the Big Red Machine from 1974. “I had a lot of memories and I missed being on this campus. But it was good to come back here and win the event again.”

SAC’s Alumni Association president Godfrey Robinson said they were a little disappointed in the turnout.

“In 20915, we had our biggest turnout for the Uncle Lou Fun/Run Walk. We’re not getting the support of the Alumni Group that would have passed through SAC over the past 71 years,” he said. “A lot of energy goes into planning the event and a part from not getting the support from the alumni, we are got the kind of sponsorship.

“We actually trying to raise funds to assist the school and one of our goals this year is the weight room, which is in desperate need of equipment,” he said. “So we are trying to get the funds to put some weights in the room,”

With the registration fee is just $20, Robinson said he expected more persons, especially alumnus, to come out and show their support. With the tenth year version set for next April, Robinson said they are looking for the numbers to increase tremendously.