By Tony Longley
BRRC Public Relations Officer
TWO dynamic Bahamian female athletes have recently paced their way into an elite circle of international marathon runners when they completed the 16th edition of the Tokyo Marathon. Shavaughn Blades and Linda Williams, who are both members of The Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club (BRRC), were among the 38,000 marathon runners. The 26.2 miles race event was held on Sunday, March 5, in Tokyo, Japan.
Blades and Williams were also among a total of 3,033 runners who earned the coveted “Six Star medal” by completing all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in Tokyo.
This being the largest number of Six Star finishers ever in a single marathon event, it was officially designated a Guinness World Record. The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series of six of the most prestigious marathons in the world which include Tokyo (March), Boston (April), London (April), Berlin (September), Chicago (October) and New York City (November).
According to Marathon Handbook, globally there are about 1.1 – 1.3 million marathon finishers each year, that’s roughly 0.01% of the global population.
Mrs Blades is a veteran marathon runner - since 2007 she has completed 52 marathons and ultra races.
“I run for overall health and fitness. It allows me to combine my two passions, the benefits of staying fit and the joy of travelling.”
In March 2024, Mrs Blades intends to run the Tokyo Marathon again, completing another round of the Abbott World Majors and possibly becoming the first Bahamian to hold two Six Star medals.
The other Six Star awardee is Mrs Linda Williams, who started running in 2010 and joined Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club soon after. Between September and December 2011, she ran her first three marathons in less than 12 weeks. This qualified her as a member of “Marathon Maniacs”, a club whose members have completed at least three marathons in 3 months. “I attribute my running success to the support and encouragement provided by fellow members of Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club, my friends and my immediate family,” said Williams.
To date, she has completed 25 marathons and numerous half marathons and 10K races. Only two other Bahamians are known to have earned the Marathon Majors Six Star Medal - Doctor Kathryn D’Souza and BRRC past president, Charles Johnson have completed the Abbott Marathon World Majors.
Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club was formed in 1990 with the objective of advancing the sport of long distance running in The Bahamas.
Members come together for weekly group training runs. They gain additional experience by travelling regularly to compete in international marathons around the world.
The club organises two signature road race events each year - Midnight Madness Fun Run/Walk in June and Bahamas Half Marathon, 10 & 5K Race Series in November. Persons interested in BRRC’s activities can email:
bahamasroadmasters@gmail.com or website: www.bahamasroadmasters.com
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