The 40th edition of the Run Barbados Marathon – Come For The Run, Stay For The Fun, will take place from December 8 to 10.
During the official launch of the event recently, Director for the Caribbean and Latin America, with responsibility for Sports, at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Corey Garrett, said the Run Barbados marathon is the largest in the Caribbean.
Mr. Garrett described the initiative as more than just a sporting event, as he explained that “we are building this out as a family, fun, and friendly weekend”.
“It will be filled with lots of fun, it will be filled with lots of culture and festivities, but at the same time also, the different international standard race for those who are coming for the bit more serious parts of the weekend,” Mr. Garrett stated.
Run Barbados Race Director/Coordinator, Zary Evelyn, noted that “everything is looking positive and bright for this year”, as he revealed the various race formats for the weekend.
The Run Barbados Marathon weekend of events will kick off with the Fun Mile on Friday, December 8, at the historic Garrison Savannah. Entertainment starts at 6:00 p.m., and the Fun Mile, which will have five segments, begins at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Evelyn explained: “So, we’re going to have the under 15 Boys and 15 Girls, the open men and female, and then the fun category where you can come dressed in costumes, in groups.”
The other events will be at the scenic East Coast, encompassing the newly paved Ermy Bourne Highway, and park-and-ride options will be available for persons going there.
On Saturday, December 9, there will be the ‘Sleeping Giant’ 5K and ‘Sand Dunes’ 10K runs. The weekend culminates on Sunday, December 10, with the ‘Farley Hill’ half and full marathon runs, beginning at 5:30 a.m., and then the ‘Joe’s River” 5K walk, at 7:00 a.m.
Mr. Evelyn spoke about the significance of the Run Barbados Race, and its role in sports tourism. “It is unprecedented in the Caribbean and the rest of the world; there’s no three-day running festival…. “It’s a good reason to come to indulge in your sport and have a holiday at the same time, so it gives Barbados a competitive advantage on any other country hosting a run festival.”
Both Mr. Garrett and Mr. Evelyn appealed to corporate Barbados to support the Run Barbados event.
All participants will receive a Run Barbados branded T-shirt and a uniquely designed finisher medal. Persons may register at www.runbarbados.org. The Run Barbados event has been a staple on the Barbados sporting calendar of events since its inception in 1983.