BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | SEP 9, 2022
(L-R) BTMI’s Department Assistant, Rose-Marie Forde; Sponsorship Consultant, Richard Haynes; BTMI’s Communications and PR Manager, Keisha Springer; BTMI’s Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Sports, Corey Garrett and Run Barbados Race Director, Zary Evelyn, part of the team planning Run Barbados 2022. (S.Forde/Craigg/BGIS)
Barbados’ premier road racing series, Run Barbados Marathon is back!
The 39th edition of the Run Barbados Marathon returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will take place December 10 to 11, with a new route featuring the scenic East Coast side of the island, encompassing the Ermy Bourne Highway.
According to Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Sports, Corey Garrett, this year’s event will be more than an athletic event. It will be a “sporting, family-friendly, fun-oriented” event with a sustainable green element.
“The event is just not for the athletes or for the runners but of course for all of the families, companies and anybody who thinks they want to participate in the event it is definitely open to you. This year, of course, will be the 39th edition of the event and we will see an increase in the so-called fun factor as we plan to add lots more music and entertainment elements to the activities along the various points of the route,” Mr. Garrett said.
He also pointed out that the hosting of such sporting events fits “perfectly” under the BTMI’s mandate of sporting tourism as it seeks to ensure that the Barbados tourism product is diversified. The Acting BTMI Sports Director also stated: “We are continuing to work to develop this island not only as an island that is for leisure tourists, or an island for romance stories or for maybe business stories but also an island that’s known for sporting tourism.
“Barbados and the BTMI represent iconic excellence as we look around to see the exploits of our recent athletes even in the athletic field, Sada Williams and the other athletes. We understand that we need to raise the level and we continue to raise the level of sporting events in Barbados to an international profile…. And the BTMI’s thought and intention are to utilise events such as Run Barbados for international appeal and notoriety and of course to raise the profile of Run Barbados.”
The event, expected to attract scores of visitors to our shores, will feature a unique experience including various races and race formats, entertainment and a “Bajan” beach picnic.
Run Barbados Race Director, Zary Evelyn revealed the various race formats for the weekend. Mr. Evelyn said that on Saturday, December 10, beginning at 4:15 p.m. would be the 10k run, followed by the 5k run, and then the 5k walk/hike starting at 4:30 p.m.
On Sunday, December 11, the series will culminate with a half marathon and a marathon beginning at 5:30 a.m., followed by a 7k and 3k run starting at 6:00 a.m. and 6:05 a.m. respectively. There will also be a 5k walk/hike starting at 7:00 a.m. All events will begin and end at Bathsheba Park, St. Joseph.
The event is currently being marketed in Barbados’ source markets – Canada, the United States, Europe and the Caribbean through the BTMI offices.
Sponsors to date include Royal Bank of Canada, Eco Sky Water and Chefette Ltd., and all gear this year is being provided by Gildan Activewear (Barbados). Sponsorship Consultant, Richard Haynes, noted there is space for additional sponsorship partners.
ESPN Run and ESPN Women will be on the island to capture the entire weekend activities as well as MarathonFoto, which will be offering some local photographers the opportunity to receive specialised training in capturing sporting events.
