On May 2, 2015 runners, joggers, walkers and dogs will take to the roads in Grand Bahamas’ for the First Dog Days Half Marathon Run, 5k and One Mile Fun Run/Walk. Participants of all ages and even four legged friends are encouraged to participate in this fun filled day. The events will begin and end at the Bahamas Adventures beach club located on Jolly Rodger drive in the Freeport Lucaya Area. Pictured left to right are Siobhan Antoni-Bates, Nikki Waugh and Tip Burrows.
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Freeport, The Bahamas - On May 2, 2015 runners, joggers,
walkers and dogs will take to the roads in Grand Bahamas’ for the First Dog
Days Half Marathon Run, 5k and One Mile Fun Run/Walk. Participants of all ages and even four legged
friends are encouraged to participate in this fun filled day. The events will
begin and end at the Bahamas Adventures beach club located on Jolly Rodger
drive in the Freeport Lucaya Area.
Through disappointment rises determination and that is
exactly why Nikki Waugh and Siobhan Antoni-Bates have taken action to benefit
their community. After hearing the news that the proposed March International
Half Marathon for Grand Bahama was postponed, these local ladies decided to
organize one themselves. “After the cancellation there was quite a bit of
disappointment from locals who had already signed up and spent many months
training - we knew we had to do
something”, said Waugh. “So we created this event in hopes that it becomes the
running version of BASRA’s Bernie Butler Swim Race. We’ve been overwhelmed with
the local support and already have several corporate sponsors such as MSC
Shipping Services, Emera, Executive Marine Management, Car Quest, Senor Frogs,
Paint Fair and Katy’s Equipment on board.”
Waugh and Bates have already created a Facebook event with
over fifty-five attendees so far and the duo is working on a website to
formalize their event and for entry form and route downloads. “We are fortunate
to have so much local and corporative support,” said Bates. “So we want to make
sure we give something back to the community,
so funds raised will be donated to the Humane Society of Grand Bahama.”
The event will not only feature the very popular half
marathon distance but the team has also incorporated a less daunting distance.
“We wanted to be sure to include other health advocates by including a one mile
fun/run walk and 5k” added Bates. “This distance is for the less addicted
runner and will allow all ages to participate
- even dogs we hope!”
Details of the race will be posted shortly on the facebook
page and then on the website, the team is assuring safety for this family
affair and will be using less trafficked areas. . After race celebrations will
also be held at Bahamas Adventures,
where participants, families and friends are welcome to enjoy the day of fun,
sun, food and drink. “Our goal is to have every registrant receive a medal, a
swag bag full of goodies and a t-shirt with a culminating awards ceremony.
“Our board, directors and members are thrilled about this
new event for Grand Bahama,” said Tip Burrows, TITLE,. “The title of the race is fantastic and as
you can imagine any funds that are generated are appreciated. We hope to get
many of our potcakes out for this event as well as owners!”
Proving that behind every dark cloud there is a silver
lining, the first Dogs Day Half Marathon teams are getting ready for the May
2nd event. What could have been a
disappointing experience is hopefully going to become an annual event for
locals to partake in while benefiting the community. Find this event on
Facebook, Dog Days Half Marathon or www.dogdayshalfmarathon.com.