FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hundreds ran away to Barbados in December…
Hundreds of runners took to the streets of the Caribbean island of Barbados
for the 33rd edition of the Run Barbados Series in December 2015. In
fact, the revitalized and rebranded Run Barbados Marathon Weekend 2015
(RBMW) enjoyed almost 2000 entries as it re-launched its marathon and
hosted four other races. The series, which recently regained its AIMS-IAAF
certification, reaped the benefits of an international marketing effort and
a new organizing team. Alan Brookes of Canada Running Series noted, "It
is exciting to see Run Barbados back up and running, Barbados is such an
awesome destination, I go way back with Run Barbados, I even created the
slogan: "Come for the Run; Stay for the Fun!"
This destination running series while geared towards recreational runners
has hosted its share of elite runners over its three decade history: World
Champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya, Irishman and Olympic silver medalist
John Treacy, British Marathoner Hugh Jones (a six time Barbados Marathon
winner), World and Commonwealth Gold Medalist in the Marathon: Rob de
Castella of Australia and Canadian Olympian Dylan Wykes to name a few.
2015 was no exception with two Rio-bound athletes: Nicolas Fernandez of
France and Jessica Draskau of Denmark both claiming victories in the 10K
and the Half-Marathon. Fernandez was a standout competitor in the series
with wins in the Mile, 10K and the Half-Marathon. Through a translator the
29 year old Frenchman told "Barbados Today" he was very satisfied with his
first Run Barbados outing, "This was a nice experience for me and I will be
back next year". The Frenchman overcame slippery conditions in the Half
Marathon caused by an early morning rain shower to finish in 1:15.28
comfortably clear of St Lucian Michael Biscette, who was second.
Jessica Draskau of Denmark won the Women's 10k in convincing style and then
came back to win the half-marathon in a time of 1:29.35 ahead of Christine
Regis of Trinidad and Tobago. Draskau was a repeat winner, having won the
10K and Half Marathon in 2013. The 2012 Olympian is qualified for the
Women's Marathon in Rio. Draskau noted she just "loved running in Barbados
and was so happy to be back!"
There was a strong French presence at RBMW 2015 and in addition to wins by
Frenchman Fernandez, the French contingent were top of the podium in the
Men and Ladies 5K with Francois Roussas of Guadeloupe and Yasmina Lamotte
of Martinique.
The Run Barbados Marathon was first run in 1983 and returned for the 2015
event after a three-year hiatus. With a late decision to re-introduce the
marathon there was a small field of competitors as expected and the new
organizers focused on the technical and logistical elements of the 2015
race in preparation for a larger turnout in 2016.
Amy Chalk of the UK was ecstatic on her fourth victory in the Run Barbados
Marathon. Amy previously won the marathon in 2005, 2007 and 2008. She was
thrilled that the marathon was brought back in 2015 and offered praise for
the event, the course and the decision to bring back the marathon. She
commended the "organization of the event in 2015 as the best she had ever
experienced and predicted that on this current path the event could return
to the popularity it enjoyed in its glory days". Chalk, a Run Activator
with All England Athletics, hopes to return in 2016 with a group from the
UK. Curtis Cox of Trinidad, a seasoned Caribbean competitor, clinched his
first victory in the 2015 Barbados Marathon.
A highlight of the marathon was the presence of American Kim Goff who
completed her 20th marathon of the Run Barbados series. Kim, an
eleven-time winner of the Marathon in earlier years has travelled to Run
Barbados every year for the last 25 years to compete in the Run Barbados
Weekend. Kim recently shared her memories, "I traveled to Barbados for 4
days on my first trip. I was captivated by the beautiful island. I left
behind a dreary and cold winter and was suddenly on a lush tropical island
with the most beautiful aqua water that I had ever seen. It is a truly
wonderful event with incredible participation of locals and visitors. I
have had many travel opportunities during my running career but Barbados is
a special place for me. I have been blessed with making lifetime
friendships. I am truly grateful for the warm hospitality shown me by this
great event."
While RBMW doesn't offer the large pre-event expo or the generous loot bags
associated with mega-marathons it's the small-time charm, relaxed island
life and beauty of the island that attracts repeat visitors such as Goff
and so many others. Runner Sarah McLoughlin is another example, she has
been visiting Barbados from the UK for an incredible eighteen years to
holiday and take part in the annual Run Barbados event. Sarah's fondness
for the island and her love of running on the island continues to flourish:
"It is the only country I have been to where I just relax as soon as I
step off the plane. It is the people that make Barbados so special."
The scenic race-courses over the weekend had a Start/Finish overlooking the
magnificent Carlisle Bay and routes that wound their way through the
capital city of Bridgetown, a historic seaport with the distinctive honour
of being part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The running tour of the
city included iconic Bridgetown landmarks such as the Chamberlain Bridge
(c. 1865) and the historic Parliament Buildings (c. 1873), as well as the
statue of Admiral Lord Nelson (c. 1813) that pre-dates Nelson's Column in
London by nearly 30 years. The marathon and half-marathon routes traversed
the west coast of the island offering runners spectacular vistas of the
Caribbean Sea from various vantage points. All of this combined with the
sounds of steel pan, local "tuk" bands, highly appreciative local
spectators and a run into the sea after crossing the finish line.
CEO of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Billy Griffith stated that,
"Going forward we will be working to position Run Barbados Marathon Weekend
as the leading road race series in the Caribbean. The international
journalists and travel agents that we have hosted and who participated in
the events this year will be instrumental in providing a head start for the
promotion of the series for 2016 and beyond".
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) was named the official
charity of the RBMW 2015 and its CEO Gina Pitts stated that the support
would go a long way in sustaining their preventative and rehabilitative
programs. The charity will also be a beneficiary at the 2016 event.
RBMW 2016 is scheduled for December 2-4 and plans are underway for unique
festivities during this 34th Race weekend in the year that marks the 50th
Anniversary of Independence for the island.
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