Brian Moodie and Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe.

Published On:Saturday, February 06, 2010

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MARATHON Bahamas welcomed noted distance runner Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe and his team of competitors from the Seventh Day Adventist to the 26.2 mile run on February 14.

Duncombe, who has been instrumental in staging the Quincentennial Marathon back in 1991, will be joined by five other pastors from his Christian denomination in what they are dubbing 'Pastor's Marathon Run for Haitian Relief.'

Additionally, Duncombe has encouraged the Bahamas Academy Seventh Day Adventist School to submit two relay teams that will comprise of students only.

"I recall Pastor Duncombe's interest more than 20 years ago when I was involved in the Quincentennial celebrations," said Philip Smith, a former Member of Parliament, who was brought on board by Sunshine Insurance to work with the management team for Marathon Bahamas.

Sunshine Insurance, the major sponsor for the event, has invited persons to compete in the return of marathon running to the Bahamas in either the 26.2 full or 13.1 half marathon as well as a segment for relay teams.

Although he noted that he's not the official voice of the Seventh Day Adventist, Duncombe said he can say with assurance that they are always delighted to be a part of anything that promotes healthy lifestyle.

"We feel it is a part of our Christian duty because the Bible says that you are to present your bodies a living sacrifice and it also states that above all things, I wish that you be proper and be in good health,'" he quoted.

"We take healthy living and healthy lifestyle and the promotion of it as a part of our Christian duty. Thus any venture that anybody is doing, we feel comfortable in partnering with them and encouraging them."

Duncombe, who prides himself in running on just about every island of the Bahamas and throughout many parts of the world (whether it's in a marathon or kilometre race or just a casual run), will team up with Pastors Leo Rolle, Leroy Sewell, Wilson Isnord, Edward St. Fleur and Andrew Burrows.

While they anticipate being the only team comprising of pastors to compete, Duncombe noted that they are also going to be challenging their own relay teams.

In fact, he said he will anchor the Pastor's relay team and he is confident that "we will beat them. Those youngsters can't run with us. They will be left trailing in the dust."

Marathon Bahamas, according to Duncombe, is an excellent way because the Seventh Day Adventist hosted the Quincentennial celebrations in October 1991 that concluded in Montagu Bay.

Marathon Bahamas will begin on Montagu Bay on February 14 at 6 a.m. and travel over the Paradise Island bridge, down Shirley Street and onto West Bay Street all the way to the Old Fort Bay round-a-bout and back to the finish line at Arawak Cay.

"I endorse the Pastor's comments about healthy lifestyle," Smith said. "I see it being an intricate part of a Christian lifestyle. I believe that this body that God gave us is a temple and it ought to be treated as such.

"As with any building, if you keep it in good repair, it will certainly last a very long time. When you do that, you are giving appropriate honour to the Lord. So we buy right into his philosophy."

Although this is just the initial year, Smith said if they can get the Bahamians to change their mind set now, they can definitely increase the participation in future marathons.

So far, the Seventh Day Adventist teams be among two dozen already registered, according to Smith. There are also some 400 plus people, including over 100 from outside of the Bahamas, registered to either compete in the 26.2 mile marathon or 13.1 half marathon.

In case you are still interested, Smith said competitors have until Monday, February 8 to sign up.

But for now, he insisted that they are just happy to have Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe leading the charge for the Seventh Day Adventist or the Church community in general.