The Tribune

THE Orry J Sands Spartans beat out 14 other five-person teams of fitness enthusiasts and cancer awareness supporters to win CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Combat Cancer Challenge.

Over 75 people registered for Ultimate U Fitness’ team obstacle course. The event raised funds that adds to the proceeds of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure which will be donated to local cancer organisations.

Natasha Brown, founder of Ultimate U Fitness Bahamas and designer of the course, said she was ecstatic about the enthusiastic turn out. “We are so glad that all of these people came out and committed to supporting the fight against cancer. This event was about finding inner strength and motivating and supporting each other through the challenges, much like survivors and their families, and the participants really displayed this. I live for moments like this.”

The obstacle course comprised of two stages designed to test the limits of participants. In the initial stage, team members were split up and assigned rigorous challenges such as suicide sprints on the Queen’s Staircase, running the Paradise Island Bridge and other demanding drills. The teams then reunited, working together to climb barricades, crawl under obstacles, and slog through mud and water all while carrying a large wooden utility pole.

Ultimately, it was the Spartans flag football team who came out on top, using teamwork to finish the challenging course ahead of the all-women second place team, The Paradise Games WildCats.

“We came out to have fun, support cancer survivors and to show our determination as a team… and we came out number one!” said Lynn Butler, a member of the Spartans. “It was a really tough obstacle course, we had to come together as a team and play on our individual strengths.”

Butler said that his team tries to be very involved in the community, but found this cause especially relatable. “We try to do our part to support the community, especially cancer. Cancer has a big impact on our society right now and it really touches us.”

CIBC FirstCaribbean also entered several teams made up of passionate staff members, many of whom also participated in the company’s Walk for the Cure in October.

Said Anthony Newbold, manager of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Customer Service Center: “We are excited to be a part of this event. We wanted to help with cancer awareness. Everyone on our team went on the Walk for the Cure, which had a great turn out, and we wanted to keep it going.”

When asked if they would be signing up next year, the exhausted team members gave a resounding “YES!”

“We have been very pleased to see so many sports teams, health enthusiasts, and cancer supporters of all fitness levels get involved in this. Everyone pushed themselves to their limits, got active and had a great time while raising money for cancer survivors and that was what the event was about, so we couldn’t be happier. CIBC FirstCaribbean and Ultimate U Fitness will continue to develop this event. We already have ideas on how to improve for next year and we look forward to seeing the event grow.”