The Tribune

ONE week after running the half marathon at Marathon Bahamas 2013, Mackey Williams stepped down in distance to win the Baptist Sports Council’s annual Family Fun Run/Walk race that was held on Saturday.

Unlike the 13.1 distance for the half marathon two weeks ago, Williams only had to cover five miles in his latest race, winning the title in 24 minutes and 31 seconds. His nearest rival was Roy Sanchez, who crossed the finish line in front of the Charles W Saunders High School in 29:20.

The race that began from the school on Jean Street and traveled south to Prince Charles Drive, east to Fox Hill Road, west to Bernard Road and south back to Charles W Saunders through Hillside Park saw Baringn McIntosh win the ladies’ title in 31.19.

The walk segment of the event left the Charles W. Saunders High School and traveled north through Hillside Park to Bernard Road, west to the Village Road round-a-bout, south on Soldier Road to Prince Charles Drive and east through Jean Street to the finish line.
Combining the two segments of the event.

Golden Gates Native Baptist Church emerged as the overall champion, regaining the title they relinquished to St John’s Native Baptist Church last year.

Deacon Jeffrey Burnside was the first male finisher in the walk, while Jonique Webb took the female honor.

For Mackey, the race was more of a workout.
“I’m just recuperating from Marathon Bahamas, so it was good to get a race like this in,” Mackey said.

“There wasn’t any competition at all, so I was just running a relaxed pace. There was no pressure for me at all.”

After the race, McIntosh said it was a little challenging, but she enjoyed it as she made her return after missing last year’s event.

“I was trying not to overwork myself because I have the High School Relays (that evening),” said the CR Walker Secondary High 10th grader.

“I wasn’t sure where to go, so I tried to keep up with the pack. I worked my way up there and I got through it.”


A number of the younger athletes didn’t compete in the meet as they had to gear up for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Relays that was held Saturday night at the new Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.


But the Rev. Dr. Anthony Carroll, the president of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and pastor of the Antioch Native Baptist Church, said he expected a lot more participation from the Baptist community.


“I thought this was a good start for us in the Baptist convention and in fact it’s usually a good way for the Baptist Sports Council to get us on a good note and we look forward to the rest of the year and greater participation from our Churches,” he said.


Once again, members of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) and Healthy Lifestyle Living were on hand to lend their support to the event.


The Young People’s Fellowship of the BNBMEC, headed by the Rev. Elliston Smith; Thompson Trading; Commonwealth Drug and Medical Supplies, D’Albenas Agency Limited, the Colony Club, the Caribbean Bottling Company Limited and Wellington Miller, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, all assisted in making the event a success.


Here’s a look at some of the winners:


Female run
19-and-under - Baringn McIntosh, 31:19.
30-39 - Darrell Forbes, 35:56; Marcia Munroe, 49:56.


Male run
15-and-under - Joshua Turnquest, 34:20.
19-and-under - Javon McKinney, 40:57.
40-49 - Mackey Williams, 24:31; Roy Sanchez, 29:20; Christopher Johnson, 34:59.


50-and-over - Gary Brathwaite - 36:39.


Female walk
15-nd-under - Aalaiyha Hinsey, 45:28; Anaiyah Hinsey, 60:12.


19-and-under - Brittany Stubbs, 47:18; Johnnain Webb, 47:39; Audrenique Adderley.
20-29 - Jonique Webb, 42:59; Ariel Webb, 42:59; Candice Webb, 53:16.
30-39 - Lauriette Hinsey, 45:30; Melissa Brown, 45:50.


40-49 - Pamela Lightbourne, 45:13.
50-and-over - Ellamae Knowles, 43:52; Joanne Webb, 52:32.


Male walk
 15-and-under - John Webb, 42:58.
19-and-under - Anthoniko Carroll, 43:18.
20-29 - Devon Lightbourne, 29:24.
40-49 - Minister Derek Munroe, 38:23; Rev. Alonzo Hinsey Jr., 60:14.


50-and-over - Dec. Jeffrey Burnside, 28:31; Dec. Huden Johnson; Rev. Anthony Carroll.