Pauline Davis-Thompson
|
‘Run For Pompey’, held
Oct 9 – Oct 12 on Exuma, to raise funds for education
and honour civil rights and emancipation leader
EXUMA,
Bahamas -
The year was 1830.
Like many places in the world, slavery was a way of life in the Bahamas.
So when John Rolle, a British Lord and plantation owner on Exuma, declared that
77 slaves must be transferred to work on Cat Island, it was understood that
families would be separated. Lives splintered. All accepted this fate, except
Pompey.
The 32-year-old slave began an uprising that led to a cancellation of the
transfer order.
But more importantly, it marks a key moment of resistance against the
establishment, not long before emancipation was achieved in the Bahamas in
August 1
838.
To commemorate Pompey and the principles of freedom and equality, the first
annual Run for Pompey will held on Exuma from October 9th through October 12th,
with the actual race happening on National Heroes Day in the Bahamas (Oct 12).
Two-time
Bahamian gold medalist Pauline Davis-Thompson will serve as patron of the
event.
Leaving
from the lessor-known Pompey Memorial in Steventon, Exuma, the race features at
5K "fun run", a 21.5km half marathon and a 42K marathon and a 50K
ultra.
The event is presented by title sponsor BAF Financial & Insurance (Bahamas)
Limited, a Bahamian-owned, full service financial services company that has
been a leader in the industry since 1920.
"At BAF Financial, we believe in supporting causes that help create our
Bahamian leaders of tomorrow. Certainly, Pompey personifies the qualities of
leadership and strength, so we are thrilled to be a part of it," said
Chester Cooper, President and CEO of BAF Financial.
"We also believe the ideals Pompey stood for will resonate beyond the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas and appeal to athletes and tourists around the
world."
Run for Pompey is also sponsored and supported by GIV Bahamas Inc, the Ministry
of Tourism, Grand Isle Resort & Spa, Bahamian Beverage & Brewery
Corporation and BahamasLocal.com
Peter Nicholson, the President of GIV Bahamas Inc., said that the event is an
opportunity to bring a lessor-known civil rights leader to the forefront.
Nicholson and his business partner, Tyrone Munroe, are the largest homeowners
at Grand Isle Resort & Spa.
"Most people that come to Exuma have no idea who Pompey was, and what we
stood for," Munroe added. "And they definitely do not know there is a
memorial here. This is an opportunity to change that and uplift an important
moment in Bahamian history."
Guests
in Exuma can take advantage of a special promo code at Grand Isle, entitling
them to up to 50% off normal rates, by simply inputting “POMPEY” when booking
at www.grandisleresort.com
All proceeds from Run for Pompey will towards the Exuma Foundation, creating an
annual post-secondary education scholarship fund for deserving students in
Exuma.
The run on National Heroes Day will be followed by a "cook-out" for
the entire community in Regatta Park, located in downtown George Town, and
featuring prizes and live entertainment.
For
more information on the Run for Pompey, and to register in the race, you can
visit its website at
www.runforpompey.com
.
You
can check out its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/runforpompey.