The Tribune

SCOTIABANK awarded the top finishers of the Student Run Relay segment of the Annual Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend.

The top finishers, in the straight and mixed divisions, were presented with trophies and giftbags yesterday during a special ceremony hosted by Scotiabank.

The CR Walker Knights' team of Andrew Capron, Michael Gomez, Kendrick Kemp and Jeffrey Sanchez finished first overall in 3:42.13 seconds.

Forest Heights Academy out of Abaco was second in 3:47:32, and CR Walker "Soccer" team of Renaldo Green, Brandon Adderley, Miguel Thompson and Demeko Monestine finished third in 3:50:22.

The Knights also won the mixed relay with their team of Clemeka Gibson, Tamia Mackey, Lhevinne Joseph and Fedline Louis.

The St John's College Giants team of Esther Simms, Hilton Forbes, Collins Jenga and Paulindo Boyer finished second and Forest Heights was third.

"It was a very good experience for the guys. I don't think we are doing as much as we can in the Bahamas to develop middle distance running so I thank Scotiabank for doing this," he said.

"It was a good experience for the guys. Everybody gelled together, they did well and so we just want to congratulate everyone involved."

Knights head coach Ednal Rolle said: "I just want to say thanks for the experience. It was a good event to have and to get my kids this exposure to see all the other kids at this level competing in the marathon."

Nakera Symonette, Senior Manager for Marketing and Public Relations at Scotiabank endorsed the partnership between her organisation, Sunshine Insurance and the schools as one of the highlights of the year for all stakeholders.

"In 2013 we became the lead partner for the Scotiabank Students Run Marathon Bahamas initiative, which provides an opportunity for distance running student athletees to participate in the relay component of Marathon Bahamas. This aligns well well with our global social responseibility platform which focuses on young people in the community," she said, "At Scotiabank we beleieve that youth have the right to become better off and are committed to doing our part to help them realize their goals by giving back to the community in meaningful ways that impact our country's future leaders. We know that focusing on young people is an investment in the long term security, stability and growth of both our communities and businesses."

The student athlete segment of a packed schedule for Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend is one of the local highlights of Marathon Bahamas.

Paul McWeeney, President of Sunshine Insurance thanked Scotiabank for their continued support of the student athletes and shows the commitment of both organisations toward youth development.

"Marathon Bahamas is now an international event as we have been voted one of the top 10 marathons in the world by Runner's World UK. Scotiabank has been at the forefront of supporting youth in the Bahamas through a number of initiatives and this is a very important one for us. We hope this partnership continues," he said, "You student athletes have carried yourselves extremely well and have represented your schools extremely well. I want to commend you because I know a lot of time and effort has gone into distance training. It takes, commitment, training, and this hard work will pay off. These are life learning lessons. The discipline that it took and this effort will go a long way in helping you to become a contributor and a leader in our society."

Said Trevor Strachan, student run race coordinator and proprietior of Winshield House and Parts Locator: "It's a privilege to be here and to invest in people again. I just really want to thank Scotiabank for giving us this opportunity to continue to grow our young people. It is important that they don't waver in their sponsorship of this event. I know there were some challenges this year, but we were still able to pull it off and we are just very appreciative to them both the financial effort and for the effort they have put behind the scenes because it is a lot more than the eyes can see," he said.

"For Marathon Bahamas putting that on, I think most people don't realise the amount of planning and time that goes into this. So it is important that we keep this alive."

Strachan, a former middle distance runner, said this is just a way for him to give back to the sport that has enabled him to secure an athletic scholarship to obtain a college education.

"I was a recipient of scholarship as a student athlete and I know it opens the doors for young people for a lot of stuff so it is important that we keep this going. I'm so proud of all of the people involved in this and hats off to the students that sacrificed their time. A lot of people don't realise the effort that goes into making this happen," he said.

"When you're in the middle of that race, you're trying to carry that baton, and hold on for your teammates, and your mind is telling you your body has had enough - you power through. We are trying to instil life lessons in you through this process. When you get your job, your marriages your relationships, your ambitions, you power through and that's what this is all about."

The teams were also presented with gift bags and lunch courtesy of Scotiabank.