The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

RUN for Pompey lead organisers yesterday called on Bahamians and visitors to come out and support the third annual event, which officials said promises to be a unique display of Bahamian history, sports and culture.

At a press conference at the Ministry of Tourism's Bay Street office, Run for Pompey co-founder Jeff Todd highlighted the merits and significance of the event, which takes place October 6 to 8 in Exuma.

"What I really love about this event is not only does it draw tourists to the Bahamas and to Exuma, but it really celebrates something that's real," Mr Todd said. "And I think people travel for the things that are culturally relevant, things that are historically relevant and things that are real."

According to Kevin Taylor, race director, Run for Pompey will feature six distance races ranging from a 2K George Town dash, 5K and 10K fun-runs, a half marathon, a marathon, and the 50K ultra.

Mr Taylor also said the 50K ultra's defending champion, Jessica Sheffield, will be returning to defend her title along with a group of runners from Key West, Florida. The event's first winner, Stephen Pintard, is also expected to participate.

Every participant who crosses the finish line will receive a medal from Bahamian Olympic gold medalist Pauline Davis-Thompson, while winners in the age groups of each race will receive a hand-carved wooden trophy. Participation for students and children are free, Mr Taylor said.

Additionally, proceeds from the event will go towards a scholarship fund for one student in Exuma to attend Acadia University in Canada, according to officials. BAF Financial & Insurance Ltd will again be the title sponsor.

"Overall, we think Run for Pompey is a great example of sports, culture and heritage tourism, that will expose Exuma to what tends to be a high net worth and collective market of visitors," Mr Taylor said.

Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D'Aguilar, present during yesterday's press conference, also called for the wider public to support an event he said "ticks all the boxes."

"One thing that I do urge is that we encourage Bahamians to come from throughout the islands to enjoy the beauty of Exuma," he said.

"With the support of the Out Island Promotion Board and our many partners in the Family Islands, events like this fit perfectly into the pattern of incentivising inter-island exploration by covering airfare for Bahamians who choose to vacation in the Family Islands."

The race event honours Pompey, the slave who risked his life to sail to New Providence to convince the governor of the Bahamas not to allow the splitting up of slave families with whom he lived.

In 1830, then 32-year-old Pompey led a rebellion against his British plantation owner, Lord John Rolle, who had declared Pompey and 76 other slaves would be moved from Exuma to Cat Island. Local historians have said Pompey's rebellion marked the birth of the "freedom fight" that concluded with the emancipation of local slaves in 1838.