The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Mothers and fathers with their kids, Bahamians and visitors, young and old – they all came together last weekend to race for a cause.

Sunshine Insurance brought back its popular race series last weekend and thousands turned up to participate in both Marathon Bahamas and the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.

For the Susan G Komen event, participants gathered before 6am at Montague Beach last Friday in preparation for the 7am start.

The race, which saw runners cross the bridge to Paradise Island, turned out to be a huge family-oriented affair.

The race is an annual event to raise money for breast cancer patients and to bring attention to a disease that affects many Bahamian women.

Once the first participant crossed the finish line at Paradise Island, the event’s annual survivor ceremony began, saluting breast cancer survivors as well as paying tribute to those who have lost their battle with breast cancer.

A free concert followed shortly after, featuring Bahamian entertainers Sosa man, Nehemiah Hield, Najie Dun, and Wendi Lewis and Dyson Knight of Visage, all hosted by comedian and radio host Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya.

“Overwhelmingly the response was favourable from participants as well as from persons who just observed the goodwill that is demonstrated in the country during the weekend. There are persons of all races, religious denominations, political backgrounds, and they come together to run, walk, to cheer on and to support a cause that is greater than their allegiance to their organisations,” said

Shelly Wilson, director of Marathon Bahamas and vice president of operations at Sunshine Insurance.

“We know there is so much in this country that divides us and it is a really a good feeling to receive such positive feedback altogether.”

Recognising the impact cancer has had on the country, Ms Wilson said she has never met a Bahamian who has not been affected in some way by the disease.

“My role personally as a young mother, I am very proud to be a part of the organisation and to be a spokesperson to really get people aware of education regarding cancer. I am also proud to be a part of a national effort that really tries to engage persons to take care of themselves, learn more about the disease and what they can do to prevent it or minimize it,” said Ms Wilson.

The Susan G Komen Race for the Cure is now in its sixth year, while Marathon Bahamas was held for the seventh consecutive year, and Ms Wilson said her hope is for these events to remain on the national calendar for many years to come.

Marathon Bahamas was comprised of three separate races – the marathon (26.2 miles), the half marathon (13.1 miles) and a relay marathon running the 26.2 mile course. It kicked off on Sunday morning and runners representing charities, clubs and companies participated, all promoting the importance of health and wellness.

“We are really proud and excited to have come this far. The longevity of the event and the fact that it is now a banner event for tourists as well as for Bahamians where persons set health resolutions for themselves to take part, we are happy about this,” said Ms Wilson.

Aware that there are competitive races that take place around the world during Marathon Bahamas, some as near as South Florida, Ms Wilson said for Sunshine Insurance it is more about the impact that they are making in the long term.

She said even if the races were to be discontinued in the future, at least they know they have played a meaningful part in changing the mindset and lifestyle of Bahamians, not to mention the financial contribution they have made to the cause since 2010.

“It’s not just a feel good kinda thing, you are making financial contributions to organisations like the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation as well as the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Fund; so it is about raising money as well,” said Ms Wilson