The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOUR members of the Bahamas Road Masters, including the husband/wife team of

Dr Ebby and Theodore Jackson, are ready to compete in the London Marathon on Sunday.

The Jacksons, along with Charles Johnson and

Shavaughn Blades, are looking forward to making their presence felt as they not only represent the Bahamas, but their small fraternity of marathon runners.

Johnson, who served previously as the president of the Bahamas Road Masters, got started running marathons in 2007 when he joined the club.

“I never intended to run a full marathon, but got talked into it and now I have completed a total of 39 ultras and full marathons to date,” he said.

“London is extra special to me as it will be my 40th marathon and after trying for eight years to get into the race, I finally get to run my fifth major marathon.”

While there are six marathons in the series, London and Tokyo were the only two missing out of Johnson’s résumé. After adding London to his credentials this weekend, he hopes to qualify for Tokyo in March 2020.

“Along the way, I have been blessed to run with many wonderful runners whom I have coached and some who have encouraged and coached me and I’m looking forward to running greater distances in the future,” he stated.

“Running is wonderful for mental and physical health and well-being, coupled with a good diet. This is what I subscribe to and I wish to encourage persons to do the same.”

Two years after Johnson made his debut, Dr Ebby and Theodore Jackson began their traverse of the gruelling 26.1-mile course.

That was when Dr Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“We completed the Miami marathon, but I had to put off running for one year due to treatment,” she said.

“However, Theodore continued. After one year of treatment, I continued my journey running and since then, we both have completed over 10 full marathons and several halfs.”

Unfortunately for Dr Jackson, she lost about three quarters of her right lung during treatment, but that has not deterred her from continuing to run.

Her husband, Ted, had his own health challenges while he was in university, which required major surgery, but he too decided to keep on running as a hobby and to help him manage his weight.

Marathon running for this family has become a favourite family hobby and they take it very seriously.

“Training requires early to bed and early to rise,” the good eye doctor said. “Diet is also a major factor in training.”

After her health challenges, Jackson’s family came to realise how important it is to have a healthy lifestyle.

Her own doctors continue to advise the doctor that whatever she is doing she must continue as it is definitely contributing to her overall health.

“We are both excited about running the London Marathon as it is a very prestigious event,” she said.

“It is one of the most difficult races to get entrance into, however we were both successful in gaining entrance.”

For both of them, their goal is to finish and finish strong.

“In a marathon many factors can contribute to a good or bad race, however by God’s grace and help we both hope to succeed,” she said.

Their most difficult marathon was the Jerusalem Marathon which was one of perseverance and determination.

“Jerusalem is very mountainous so can you imagine what it is like coming from the Bahamas,” she said. “We continue to give God thanks for allowing us to run together as a husband and wife team.

“Of course may the best man or woman succeed as we have not crossed the finish line together since January, 2010.”