HONORARY Chair of the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure Willie Moss (left) with TheBahamasWeekly.com Webmaster/Administrator David Mackey and Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend Marketing Co-ordinator and PR Chair Rogan Smith.

As of Tuesday, September 20, 2016

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#FOR the second year in a row, TheBahamasWeekly.com has signed on as a Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend (SIRW) sponsor.

#The news and events portal, which claims an average of 1,000,000 page views per month, will help Race Weekend – which includes the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure and Marathon Bahamas – to expand its global reach. Race Weekend, which takes place on January 14-15, 2017 – remains the premier sporting event in the country, attracting elite athletes from all over the world and boosting tourism numbers during the traditional slow period.

#Robbin Whachell, editor/co-founder of TheBahamasWeekly.com, said: “It has been exciting to see the growth of sports tourism in the Bahamas, and Marathon Bahamas has been one of the events leading the way. Not only does Race Weekend attract visitors to the country, but it encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.”

#The two-day event coincides with the United States’ Martin Luther King Jr holiday, giving North Americans an opportunity to race in the Bahamian sunshine and escape the winter weather.

#Marathon Bahamas, a Tourism Impact Award winner, has been named as one of the top 50 races in the world outside the UK by ‘Runner’s World UK’ magazine.

#The Susan G Komen Bahamas event is a community effort that brings awareness to the cancer fight and raises money for the cause. Race Weekend will donate 100 per cent of the net proceeds from the two-day event to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation and Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group.

#Sponsors for the SIRW include Sunshine Insurance, the Ministry of Tourism, Atlantis, FOCOL, BTC, Arawak Homes, NAD, Royal Star Assurance, Bahamas Waste, Pharmachem Technologies, Roman Meal, Royal Bank of Canada, Vitamalt, Global Pacific Food Group/Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic, Bahamas Power and Light, Signman, Baptist Health International, BGC Bahamas Ltd., Doctors Hospital, Sawyers Fresh Market, Runners Depot, Gatorade, Classic Formal Wear and TheBahamasWeekly.com.

#To register online visit www.marathonbahamas.com or www.komenbahamas.org for more information

Monday, January 14, 2013

CHEQUE PRESENTATION: Shown (l-r) are Dennis Hanna, Vitamalt group retail business manager, Stacy Mackey, Vitamalt brand manager and Brian Moodie, president of Marathon Bahamas.

#As thousands of local and international participants cross the finish lines at Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend 2013’s Marathon Bahamas and the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure, they will be greeted with an ice cold Vitamalt beverage.

#Known for its nutritional value and rich malty flavour, Vitamalt has signed up as the official malt beverage for Race Weekend 2013 January 19-20.

#As a silver sponsor of Race Weekend, Vitamalt will provide runners with a much needed energy boost and replenishment immediately after the races.

#Vitamalt brand manager Stacy Mackey noted that Vitamalt is a great natural source of Vitamin B Complex, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants. Whether you are working, studying, playing sports or exercising, Vitamalt provides the refreshment and energy that is needed.”

#Mackey said Marathon Bahamas and the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure provide an opportune time to partner for a worthy cause.

#Thanking Vitamalt for joining the list of sponsors for Race Weekend 2013, Brian Moodie, president of Marathon Bahamas, indicated that the event continues to grow and gain momentum.

#“As the official malt beverage of Race Weekend 2013, we are happy to have Vitamalt join us and no doubt our runners will have a much needed, refreshing, energy boost.”

#Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend is in its fourth annual running of the marathon, half marathon, relay and its third running and partnership with the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K. Marathon Bahamas has become the pre-eminent endurance event of the country.

#This year’s event features runners from 20 countries and 27 states and is supported by a large volunteer contingent from every walk of Bahamian life.

#Moodie said “The Susan G Komen Bahamas Race exceeded the 1,300 mark in 2012 is trending even higher. This annual event not only raises money for the beneficiaries but also bring attention to the dreaded disease that affects so many of our Bahamian women.”

#Mr Moodie added that one hundred per cent of the money raised by the Race for the Cure will remain in the Bahamas to fund breast cancer and women’s health programmes.

#Beneficiaries for the events are The Cancer Society of The Bahamas, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, The Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative and the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.

Friday, January 17, 2014

#SCOTIABANK has again joined forces with Marathon Bahamas as a corporate partner for the 5th Annual Marathon Bahamas event. As a gold partner, Scotiabank has contributed financially and in-kind to support this event which directly benefits the fight against cancer in the Bahamas.

#The event-filled weekend is scheduled for January 18-19.

#“We are again excited to be the lead partners for the Scotiabank Bright Future Students Run Marathon Bahamas,” said Leah Davis, senior manager of products, marketing and public relations at Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited.

#“This initiative aligns well with the Bright Future programme which supports opportunities to give back to the young people in our community through a number of platforms, of which health and wellness and sports are two significant priorities.”

#Marathon Bahamas allows Scotiabank to give back to the health of our community and the economy through supporting this significant driver of sports tourism.

#Through a partnership with Susan G Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organisation, the Marathon Bahamas weekend will again include the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K scheduled for Saturday, startng at 6am from Fort Montagu and ending on Paradise Island.

#All funds raised from the Race for the Cure as part of the Marathon Bahamas 2014 weekend will benefit the fight against breast cancer programmes in The Bahamas.

#“The fight against cancer in The Bahamas is a priority for Scotiabank and Marathon Bahamas is a very significant community initiative for us that we are proud to be associated with. We are excited to have Team Scotia participating in Saturday’s Race for the Cure. Our employees are thrilled about joining such a worthy cause.”

#The Scotiabank sponsored Bright Future Students Run Marathon will be a part of Sunday’s festivities that start at 6am from the Junkanoo Beach Hotel on West Bay Street an end up at Arawak Cay.

#So far, more than 20 schools, both public and private, have signed up to compete in the event, which is designed for relay competition.

#In addition, more than 1,150 runners will pound the pavement at the 2014 Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend beginning on January 18.

#RBC ON BOARD

#RBC has renewed its support of the event for the 4th consecutive year. Marathon Bahamas, as it is affectionately known by running enthusiasts around the world, includes events for persons of varying abilities and fitness levels.

#In addition to the marathon and half marathon, Marathon Bahamas includes a four-person relay with distances ranging from 5.7 miles to 7.5 miles and the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure� 5K.

#The Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend has become an increasingly popular event for both local and international runners. Marathon Bahamas hosts close to 500 international runners, has contributed $260,000 to the fight against cancer and continues to draw both participants and spectators from every walk of life.

#Joining in the race this year will be more than 100 RBC employees. Mr Nathaniel Beneby, managing director at RBC Royal Bank, expressed his pleasure that so many RBC employees are taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in Race Weekend at cost fully subsidised by RBC.

#“RBC is delighted that so many of our employees have accepted the Marathon Bahamas challenge.” He continued: – “RBC is proud to once again support The Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend. The event is a wonderful opportunity to get fit, have fun and support a worthwhile cause.”

#RBC is committed to raising awareness about breast cancer and to supporting cancer research and education not only through supporting external initiatives such as Marathon Bahamas, but also through the RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund. The Fund was established five years ago to assist young persons throughout the Caribbean who have been diagnosed with cancer.

#VITAMALT LIGHT

#And this year marks the second year that Vitamalt has partnered with Race Weekend and Susan G Komen Bahamas as the official malt beverage.

#While last year participants enjoyed ice cold Vitamalt Classic, this year will see the introduction of the new Vitamalt Light at Saturday and Sunday events.

#Launched last year, Vitamalt Light is a great replenishment rich in B Vitamins and 50 per cent less calories. As a silver sponsor of Race Weekend, Vitamalt and Vitamalt Light will provide runners with a much needed energy boost immediately after the races.

#Vitamalt brand manager Stacy Mackey noted that Race Weekend has become synonymous with fitness and is an anticipated event among the race community.

#“We are delighted to partner with an event that is well organised and that sees a combination of individual and group participants. This is truly a coming together of good, energetic and wholesome fun for a worthy cause.”

#Janet Cartwright-Serrette of Sunshine Insurance acknowledged that they are happy Vitamalt has agreed to sponsor Race Weekend for the second year in a row.

#“We always like when a sponsor returns to partner with us again. This year the number of entrants has increased and for us this is a good sign that we are and continue to move in the right direction.”

#Mrs Cartwright-Serrette noted that persons wishing to participate in Sunday’s Marathon who have not yet signed up may do so at the Expo at the Wyndham on January 18 from 3-7pm.

#This year’s event features runners from 22 countries and is supported by a large volunteer contingent from every walk of Bahamian life. Beneficiaries for the events are:

#The Cancer Society of The Bahamas, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, The Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative and the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.

As of Friday, January 17, 2014

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#MORE than 1,150 runners will pound the pavement at the 2014 Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend beginning on January 18.

#RBC Royal Bank has renewed its support of the event for the 4th consecutive year.

#Marathon Bahamas, as it is affectionately known by running enthusiasts around the world, includes events for persons of varying abilities and fitness levels.

#In addition to the marathon and half marathon, Marathon Bahamas includes a 4-person relay with distances ranging from 5.7 miles to 7.5 miles and the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K.

#The Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend has become an increasingly popular event for both local and international runners.

#Marathon Bahamas hosts close to 500 international runners, has contributed $260,000 to the fight against cancer and continues to draw both participants and spectators from every walk of life.

#Joining in the race this year will be more than 100 RBC employees. Nathaniel Beneby, RBC managing director, expressed pleasure that so many RBC employees are taking advantage of the opportunity to participate, with the cost fully subsidised by the bank.

#“RBC is delighted that so many of our employees have accepted the Marathon Bahamas challenge. RBC is proud to once again support the Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend. The event is a wonderful opportunity to get fit, have fun and support a worthwhile cause.”

#RBC is committed to raising awareness about breast cancer and to supporting cancer research and education not only through supporting external initiatives such as Marathon Bahamas, but also through the RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund.

#The fund was established five years ago to assist young persons throughout the Caribbean who have been diagnosed with cancer.

#The Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend kicks off the morning of January 18 with the 5K Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.

#Race for the Cure raises awareness about the fight against breast cancer, honours those who have lost their battle to breast cancer and celebrates breast cancer survivors.

#The race begins at Montagu Beach and ends at Paradise Island.

#The Bahamas Marathon, the feature event, is scheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2014. The full marathon begins at 6am at Junkanoo Beach.

#Proceeds from all Marathon Bahamas events will benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative and the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.

#• See Sports for more.

RACING FOR THE CURE: Walkers and runners from all walks of life take part in The Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5-kilometre event on Saturday morning. The route began at Montagu Bay beach and finished at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. Photo by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Monday, January 19, 2015

#Franklyn Wilson, the Sunshine Holdings and Arawak Homes chairman, said the Sunshine Insurance weekend serves a number of purposes in economic and community building.

#“I want all persons hearing this to understand there’s a strategy behind what we’re doing. The running media is beginning to pick up a feel of ‘come for the race and stay for the party.’ This experience is more than a race. We believe if people come to the Bahamas based beyond any single activity then we are on the right track,” he said. “The big point is that we have to continue to produce events at a high level. We want every year for someone to say ‘this is the best one yet.’ This marathon is about building community, health and a benefit to sports tourism.”

#Saturday morning featured the The Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K. Thousands of runners and walkers took to the route which began at Montagu Beach and finished at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Sunshine Insurance (Agents & Brokers) Ltd, with MARSH, its international affiliate, in its role as the lead sponsor and organiser for Marathon Bahamas, has fostered a strategic partnership between Marathon Bahamas and Susan G Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement and the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists – a partnership that could significantly impact the health of Bahamians, especially in the areas of breast cancer and other women’s health issues.

#It is an annual event, not only to raise money for the beneficiaries but also to bring attention to the dreaded disease that affect so many of our Bahamian women.

#One hundred per cent of the money raised by the Race for the Cure will remain in The Bahamas to fund breast cancer research/awareness and women’s health programmes.

Half Marathon winner Jonathan Volpi.

Monday, January 20, 2014

#MARATHON RESULTS HERE

#HALF MARATHON RESULTS HERE

#RELAY RESULTS HERE

#SUSAN G KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE RESULTS HERE

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#A husband-and-wife duo emerged as the major storyline Sunday morning as Sunshine Insurance’s Race Weekend concluded with the fifth edition of Marathon Bahamas.

#Justin and Melissa Gilette crossed the finish line at Junkanoo Beach as the top overall male and female respectively in the 26.2 mile race. It was the 72nd marathon victory for the 31-year-old Gilette in his career, which ranks him No. 5 among the list of international marathon winners.

#The Goshen, Indianapolis native clocked in at 2:36.57s, and despite some slight fatigue heading into the event, was pleased with his performance in his first international marathon.

#“It was a very good race. It was basically a free tour of the island. You sign up for a marathon and you get a tour of the island, it was a very very pretty race. I have run probably about 130 marathons in my life, this is the 72nd marathon I have ever won and this one stands out because at the finish line was like a party going on. It was a little bit slower time than what I was shooting for. I did a marathon last weekend and that coupled with the travel left me a little bit fatigue,” he said.

#“This was the first time I’ve ever done an international marathon and everyone on the course was just cheering us on, whether you were from the Bahamas, or from the USA, or from some other country it was just great that people come out to support this great event and I definitely know that a lot of people that ran today are looking forward to coming back.”

#He noted that the atmosphere surrounding the course gave the race a special notoriety, one which will help the event continue to grow exponentially in the near future. “When you are running into the wind you just want to give up, but mentally you have to overcome that and once you hit about mile 16 and a half and you’re coming back, and you still see runners going out, and they all cheer for you, you just get a high. The only struggle was the heat and the wind because we’re not acclimatised to that,” he said. “This marathon will take off. Once they get a little bit more advertising in the USA and people figure out how to get here the cheapest. I could see this being double the numbers in a couple years. The rewards are really unique with the conch shell and the way the medals look, there are people that really like to win unique things.”

#Mrs Gilette, 31, was the top overall female finisher in 3:04.01s. “It was a really nice day. It was nice that it was cloudy from a runner’s perspective. It took me a while to get in a rhythm so I was a little worried early on I wasn’t quite getting the pace that I wanted but I was able to pick it up later in the race and was able to run four minutes faster in the second half,” she said.

#“It’s exciting. It motivates us to know that the other is out there working hard and training. Since we have two kids we can’t run together very often but it’s a motivator to get out the door when you know the other one just ran 10 miles.”

#The top Bahamian finisher in this year’s event was 40-year old Grand Bahama native Keithrell Hanna in a time of 2:49.25s. Hanna dedicated his performance to iconic athletics coach and educator, Errol Bodie Sr, who passed away in 2013.

#Fellow Bahamian Sidney Collie, 34, finished third overall in 3:03.32s. “It means a lot to me. Last year my coach was here and he recently passed away so I wanted to perform well for him,” Hanna said. “I just wanted to go out and run my race and not follow the crowd, but just set my pace and as I came back start picking it up. I went with the frontrunner [Gilette] for a couple miles, but I said ‘you know something, I’m going to let him go’ so I stepped back off his shoulder and kept my pace.”

#He looks for his performance, and more participation in Marathon Bahamas to bring more attention to distance running in the Bahamas.

#“We as distance runners, some of them just look down on us, but I think the sport can go to another level. I think this will encourage a lot of Grand Bahamians in particular because they know I came from a mighty long way to get to this point and I’m still going.”

#In the half-marathon, a pair of winners from 2013 returned to reclaim their titles.

#Jonathan Volpi, 30, took first place on the men’s side in 1:11.27s. The Florida native said despite his role as a frontrunner, he had his goal set on the course record as he charged ahead.

#“I was just out there running. I was by myself the whole way, but I was just trying to set a new course record. It wasn’t beach weather but it was good for running. It was really dry out. I was sweating a little bit but mostly it was really dry which is really good for running long distances. I’m from Florida so I train in the heat and humidity all year so to have a nice day like this is good,” he said.

#“It is a really organised race. It was bigger than it was last year, which was my first time competing here so it’s good to see that it’s growing. There were some really good international runners here, which is good.”

#On the women’s side, Angela Cobb, last year’s marathon winner was unable to compete in the 26-mile event due to an injury but took first place in this year’s half in 1:26.23s.

#“I had a few injuries going on. I had fractured my vertebrae back in November so I really wasn’t training at all. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to run the full like I wanted to so I went with the half this year. Going into it I really didn’t know what was going to happen. I started running about two weeks ago. For me, I felt out of shape but the weather was great here so it was a great day for running,” the 30-year-old Florida native said. “I felt pretty good. I had a little pain going down my leg. I just wish I could have trained for the full, but it happens.”

#Sidney Deleveaux was the top Bahamian finisher in the half, second overall in a time of 1:25.28s.

#Saturday morning featured the The Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K. Hundreds of runners and walkers took to the route which began at Montagu Beach and finished at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Sunshine Insurance (Agents & Brokers) Ltd, with MARSH, its international affiliate, in its role as the lead sponsor and organiser for Marathon Bahamas, has fostered a strategic partnership between Marathon Bahamas and Susan G Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement and the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists – a partnership that could significantly impact the health of Bahamians, especially in the areas of breast cancer and other women’s health issues.

#It is an annual event, not only to raise money for the beneficiaries but also to bring attention to the dreaded disease that affect so many of our Bahamian women. 100 per cent of the money raised by the Race for the Cure will remain in The Bahamas to fund breast cancer and women’s health programmes.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Dr. Daniel Johnson.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson called Marathon Bahamas an example of the “business of sports,” a movement which looks to transcend the Bahamas to a regional and global sporting powerhouse.

#“I must commend the organisers for their ability to, in a short time, establish a world class event. They are doing something that I am establishing in our ministry, not events, but a complete festival. So this is now race weekend. It is not just one race, they are having different aspects of this event to engage fans and participants the entire weekend,” Johnson said.

#“As we build we are going to build on the things where we are already number one, which is using our talents and resources in both the arenas of competition and hosting. We are going to continue to build on this fun, family-type challenge atmosphere and environment to get people back to the ideas that sports is fun and it is something that everyone can do and, of course, this is big business and it is an industry.”

#Thousands turned out last weekend for Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend which also included the The Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K.

#The marathon race course was designed to showcase the diversity of this popular tourism destination, including many of the historical buildings of downtown, highlight the splendor of Paradise Island, the beauty and charm of Cable Beach and transverse along the ocean to a dramatic ocean front finish at Arawak Cay.

#Despite the thousands of competitors, a strong Bahamian presence was visible at the winner’s podium with Sidney Collie who finished third overall in the full marathon.

#Collie, the top Bahamian finisher for the second consecutive year, finished with a personal record time of 2:45.14s. He claimed the $1,000 prize offered by Bahamian businessman and distance runner Glen Bain given to the top native Bahamian who crossed the finish line.

#Collie has participated in Marathon Bahamas since its inception and began his marathon running career in 2005.

#His first international race was the Jacksonville Bank Marathon and since then he has completed numerous international marathons and half marathons including, 2011 A1A Marathon (where he earned a 4th place finish), West Palm Beach Marathon, Boston, and ING New York.

#“It felt wonderful because I PR’d also and I took about two minutes off my time. It was difficult training for it compared to some of my competition because the gentlemen from the states, they train at a higher altitude, whereas here in the Bahamas we train at the sea level so when they get ahead it’s really hard to try to come from behind and catch them, but I just wanted to go out there and try my best,” Collie said.

#“I’ve done three marathons in the states, the New York Marathon, the Boston Marathon but I could not have done this well without the support I had from my family, and my club Roadmasters, my coaches, my church, everyone was very encouraging.”

#Sunshine Insurance (Agents & Brokers) Ltd, with MARSH, its international affiliate, in its role as the lead sponsor and organiser for Marathon Bahamas, has fostered a strategic partnership between Marathon Bahamas and Susan G Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement and the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists – a partnership that could significantly impact the health of Bahamians, especially in the areas of breast cancer and other women’s health issues.

#It is an annual event, not only to raise money for the beneficiaries but also to bring attention to the dreaded disease that affects so many of our Bahamian women. One hundred per cent of the money raised by the Race for the Cure will remain in the Bahamas to fund breast cancer and women’s health programmes.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIAN marathon runners were among the 30,000 athletes that braved chilly conditions to commemorate the 119th running of the Boston Marathon.

#Sidney Collie and Stephen Holowesko completed the latest edition of the storied race yesterday, in an event which has come under even greater focus since the 2013 terror attack.

#Amid rain, wind and cold temperatures, Collie, in his fifth appearance at the Boston Marathon, finished in 3:54.01s. He placed No.17438 overall and No. 3988 in the male 18-39 category.

#Holowesko, 47, crossed the line in 4:40.04s, No. 24384 overall and No. 2357 in his division, males 45-49.

#Managed by the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events.

#It is held annually on Patriot’s Day, a holiday celebrated in Massachusetts and Maine in observance of the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, making the Boston Marathon rich in history and tradition.

#The legendary point-to-point course starts in rural Hopkinton, passes through numerous quaint New England towns before finishing on Boylston Street in the heart of Boston.

#Runners must qualify to run the Boston Marathon by running a qualifying time at a certified marathon. Qualifying times are determined by your age on the date of the Boston Marathon in which you will be participating.

#Traditionally held the third Monday of April, it began in 1897, inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics.

#The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and ranks as one of the world’s best-known road racing events, one of six World Marathon Major events.

#Collie, 35, began his marathon running career in 2005.

#His first international race was the Jacksonville Bank Marathon and since then he has completed numerous international marathons and half marathons including, 2011 A1A Marathon (where he earned a 4th place finish), West Palm Beach Marathon, Boston, and ING New York.

#Holowesko, an avid cyclist, is also the co-founder of Ride For Hope Bahamas.

#Both have also participated locally in Marathon Bahamas.

#Collie credits his success in recent years with the assistance that he received from Sunshine Insurance/Marathon Bahamas, Dr Kathryn DeSouza and friends, and Bahamas Roadmasters. He has increased his success on the international scene following a costly mistake at the 2011 Marathon Bahamas when, by no fault of his own, while leading the race he took a wrong turn and was subsequently disqualified after assuming he had won the race.

#Collie rebounded to be the top Bahamian finisher in both the 2012 and 2013 events. Holowesko also completed the half marathon in 2014.

#The close knit marathon running community in the Bahamas is no doubt proud of the accomplishment of the athletes to qualify for the prestigious event.

#A Boston Marathon qualifying time is no longer a guarantee runners will gain entry into the field.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Sidney Collie has established a reputation as one of the most successful roadrunners in the Bahamas and his success in the sport thrust him into the line of fire at a horrific scene in the world’s oldest marathon.

#Two persons were killed and dozens injured in bomb blasts near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, according to Boston police yesterday. The two explosions happened at about 2:50pm, more than two hours after the first of the race’s nearly 27,000 runners had crossed the finish line. A third blast rocked the John F Kennedy Library a few miles away and more than an hour later.

#Collie, 33, finished the event with an official time of 3:07.09s in Monday’s event, well ahead of the explosions. Members of Collie’s Bahamas Roadmasters Club confirmed his safety through emails and contact with spectators and individuals in Boston, however Collie could not be immediately reached for comment at his hotel room.

#Collie qualified to compete in his third consecutive Boston Marathon by virtue of being the top Bahamian finisher at the Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas. He began his marathon running career in 2005.

#His first international race was the Jacksonville Bank Marathon and since then he has completed numerous international marathons and half marathons including, 2011 A1A Marathon (where he earned a 4th place finish), West Palm Beach Marathon, Boston, and ING New York.

#Marathon running compatriot Garfield “Gary” Brathwaite, co-founder of the Eastside Running Club, placed Collie’s accomplishments into perspective.

#“Marathon running is a small close knit family and when you can achieve something like this, to be able to make it to Boston several times, you know that he is doing something well and in the Bahamas is definitely at the top of his field,” he said. “It is a tragic event, and we pray for the families of the persons affected by it. Knowing Sidney and his attitude and his spirit, it will not deter him, but make him want to compete even more to honour those people.”

#Brathwaite himself has competed in over 40 marathons and carried the Bahamas’ flag at the Baltimore Running Festival in 2012.

#Collie credits his success in recent years with the assistance that he received from Sunshine Insurance/Marathon Bahamas, Dr Kathryn DeSouza and friends, and Bahamas Roadmasters. He has increased his success on the international scene following a costly mistake at the 2011 Marathon Bahamas when, by no fault of his own, while leading the race he took a wrong turn and was subsequently disqualified after assuming he had won the race.

#Collie rebounded to be the top Bahamian finisher in both the 2012 and 2013 events.

#Last year he finished in 2:47.40s, five minutes behind overall winner Bryan Huberty, who took the top spot in a new course record of 2:42.53s. This year he improved his time and was again the first Bahamian full marathoner to cross the finish line in a personal best of 2:45.47s.

#Managed by the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events.

#It is held annually on Patriot’s Day, a holiday celebrated in Massachusetts and Maine in observance of the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, making the Boston Marathon rich in history and tradition.

#The legendary point-to-point course starts in rural Hopkinton, passes through numerous quaint New England towns before finishing on Boylston Street in the heart of Boston.

#Runners must qualify to run the Boston Marathon by running a qualifying time at a certified marathon. Qualifying times are determined by your age on the date of the Boston Marathon in which you will be participating.

#Traditionally held the third Monday of April, it began in 1897, inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics.

#The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and ranks as one of the world’s best-known road racing events, one of six World Marathon Major events.

Anthony Longley, the first Bahamian International Director of Toastmasters International, is a successful international marathon runner.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

FELICITY DARVILLE

#By FELICITY DARVILLE

#Imagine running for 26 miles – 42 kilometers. There’s a special place on the endurance list for the people who run this distance in marathons around the world. As I interviewed Anthony Longley for this week’s Face to Face, I was impressed by all of his achievements. He is the first Bahamian to ever serve as International Director in Toastmasters International and he is the first Bahamian to speak at the Million Dollar Round Table. He is a veteran in the insurance industry and a professional photographer. He achieved it all on a high school education.

#He started from humble beginnings on West Street in Grant’s Town but has since travelled the globe motivating thousands of people along the way. It was when he told me he is a marathon runner who has competed in major races like the New York City and Toronto Marathons that I understood where his tenacity comes from.

#The thrill of the marathon taught him a lot about his personal life as well. There was a time when Anthony was at a low point in his career. It was 1985. He was still a newlywed and was working at an insurance company, but he was simply not succeeding.

Anthony is honoured by the recently-held Hubert Edward’s Success Summit. He is presented with his award by Hubert Ewards (left) and Rodney Bain.

#“There is a phase in running, where you get beyond the 15th mile and you hit a wall; sometimes even runners in their best condition hit the wall – well, I had hit the wall in insurance,” he explained.

#“I just couldn’t get another sale… I lost it emotionally and psychologically and I quit.”

#It was at that point that a relative of his in the insurance industry, Larry Mcphee, stuck by him and encouraged him for months. When Anthony wanted to give up on his dream, Larry held it for him and eventually convinced him to get back in the race. By 1986 he was back in stride and working with Larry as a sales representative at what was British American Insurance (now BAF Financial). Today, he is a 36-year veteran in the insurance industry and an Executive Financial Services Representative at Colina Insurance. Not only that… he is 58-years-old and still running, still chasing new hopes and dreams, proving he can do anything he sets his mind to.

#Of his time at British American he said: “I will never forget what the manager there , Mr Keith Major said to me. He said, ‘All I want you to do is submit to my training, and I will deprogramme you from everything you have learned and reprogramme you for success’. The very next year, I qualified as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and attended my first annual meeting.”

#MDRT is an international organisation based in Park Ridge, Illinois and is one in which membership cannot be bought. It is the Premier Association of Financial Professionals. Anthony is also the first person from the Caribbean to serve on the management council which afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the world.

#“I remember on one occasion we were travelling to Tokyo and I was able to view the invoice from that trip,” he said.

#“It shocked me. It cost them thousands to fly me there by Business Class. I was hoping it wasn’t a mistake and they end up sending me to a seat near the lavatory at the back! I was like… ‘look at me, a little black boy from The Bahamas’. It’s not of my own doing, but by the Grace of God.”

#Anthony, better known as “Tony”, also made history in Toastmasters International, a 350,000-member global organisation. He is the International Director for Region 8, which covers all of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Caribbean and Brazil. He is a “working ambassador” who meets with the Board to develop and implement policies and protocol. Toastmasters International is a worldwide non-profit educational organisation that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.

#But even being a communicator did not come easily for Anthony. He had a speech impediment that would have made it nearly impossible for him to one day, deliver motivational speeches at such a high level. Through discipline and determination – and putting aside his pride – he went from a shy presenter at home Club 1600 in Nassau to achieving the organisation’s highest educational and leadership designation, Distinguished Toastmaster.

Anthony with his wife, Jackie, and daughters Antonia and Alissa.

#Anthony also has great shoulders to stand on. He comes from a family of entrepreneurs and took great examples from men on his mother’s and father’s side. His father, retired policeman and building inspector Eustace Longley hailed from Lisbon Creek, Andros. Eustace’s father Jack was the most respected sloop builder of his era. Anthony’s mother, Joyce Lockhart owned a corner store at their homestead on West Street. Her father, Sheffield built that home that the young Tony grew up in with his siblings. It is 100-years-old and still standing, still being occupied by Lockhart family members today. Sheffield was a boat captain who was navigating the mail boat when, on a voyage to Turks Island, he met his bride Louise Frith and built the West Street abode.

#Anthony wore the brown and tan uniform of his neighbourhood school William Sayle Primary. He spent most of his childhood years as a member of the Boy’s Brigade Band. As he grew, he went on to attend St Anne’s and then Jordan Prince William High Schools.

#Three weeks out of high school, he got a job at Island Merchants where, with some basic training in photography, he developed a passion. He went on to work at John Bull while also working nights at Paradise Photography on Paradise Island. He and his coworkers Patrick Hanna and David Knowles would take pictures at the world famous Le Cabaret Theatre. They would head upstairs to the darkroom, develop those photos during the show and then head back down to the audience to pitch their sale, table by table. The trio are lifelong friends.

#He is still passionate about photography and running, both availing lifelong friends and lessons to him. He met Bernard “BH” Hanna in 1987 when he joined Toastmasters. BH was a veteran long distance runner who was spearheading the formation of the Roadmaster’s Running Club. He was also inspired by Alpheus “Hawk” Finlayson and became one of the founding members of the club. He is still a financial member to this day, and looks forward to the challenge of completing marathons. He remembers one of the most difficult being running in Canada for the Niagara Falls Marathon in 15-degree weather – but he completed it.

#“I consider myself blessed with fitness at my age… I only laugh when I see the youngsters trying to beat me,” he said with a chuckle.

Anthony with his siblings Gloria, Basil and Helen at church. He serves at St Matthews in public relations.

#“I can beat any youngster on the road and when they try to catch me, I smoke ‘em out!”

#The art of endurance to win a race was also an important lesson Anthony learned from his mother. He watched her perseverance in action as she built her house in South Beach over a 15-year period right out of her pocket without a mortgage. She would tend to the shop with her father in the day and at night, she would babysit at a hotel while studiously saving and joining Asue groups in order to build her own house.

#“We had good examples and then we had it instilled in us at an early age to strive for excellence,” Anthony says of himself and his siblings.

#None of them went to university out of high school, yet they all did well in their professional lives. Two of them went on to receive tertiary education as adults after they already had their own families. Anthony says their petite mother had a stern, strict hand and it helped to shape their character. He cherishes the support of his family; especially the support of his wife of 36 years, Jackie and their daughters Antonia and Alissa.

#“People use it as an excuse that they did not go to college,” he said.

#“You can educate yourself even outside of formal education. You have to learn from your experiences. Read a lot. Associate yourself with positive people and organisations. And, like in running, never give up.”

#Anthony is now at the stage where giving back means much to him: “Don’t be selfish when you are successful. Nobody gets there on their own. Someone had to help you.”

#“As one author said… we sit in the shade of a tree we did not plant, we are called to plant trees under whose shade we will not sit.”