By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WHILE the organisers expect for Bahamian national record holder Oneil Williams to defend his local title and a few Kenyans to add to the level of competition, there’s a call for more persons to register for the seventh annual Bahamas Half Marathon.
Marcel Major, the president of the host Bahamas Roadmasters, said they are targeting about 600 competitors for the Sunday, November 24 race that will be staged around Arawak Cay beginning at 6am.
“We have about 150 registered so far, so we have a lot of spaces available,” he said. “We know that we have a lot of competition with the relief efforts for Hurricane Dorian and some other races being held around that time.
“Our registration is not going as we expected. We are less than a month away, so we want to encourage the general public to come out and participate in this special event.” As the main fundraiser for the club that was formed in 1990 by coach George Smith to help them compete in long-distance races and to encourage and foster health, fitness and fun through the sport of distance running, the Roadmasters will present part of their proceeds to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and Hurricane Dorian relief effort.
They are also offering up to $13,000 in cash prizes, including a hefty $5,000 purse for the overall winner in both the men and women’s half marathon. Second place finishers will pocket $1,000 and the third-place finishers will collect $500.
In addition, there will be awards for the various winners in the 10-kilometre race, 5K and half marathon three-person relay.
“We will have a very well organised and executed road race,” Major said.
Courtyard Marriott, one of the major sponsors, will be offering discounts on rooms for participants out of town and even Bahamians who want to be a part of the race environment where they can leave directly from their hotel and head over to the race course.
The Ministry of Tourism, the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Generali, Bahamas Waste, Bahamas Welding and Fire, and Bahamas Wholesale Agency are among the list of sponsors.
On Saturday, November 23, there will be an expo with the various vendors showcasing their products at the Courtyard Marriott from 10am when participants can also collect their race packages.
Persons wishing to register can do online at www.bahamashalf.com or by contacting Four Seasons Nursery at 676-2182, Touch Control Limited at 377-1733 or Sun Tee at 393-3104.
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