by SHERRYLYN A. CLARKE

WITH THE ADDITION of a new event, organisers of the annual Sagicor Run For Life series are hoping to attract 3 000 spectators for the first time in its seven-year history.

This year, the Barbados Blue Swim For Life will form part of the October 13 to 15 series and will be held at Carlisle Bay on October 14 from 8:30 a.m. The race will be held in two age groups – a 250-metre swim for 12 and Under and a 750-metre swim for 13 and over and adults.

George Griffith, manager of Surfside Wellness Centre, said the venue was chosen to accommodate large numbers of participants and there would be full support by the Barbados Coast Guard, lifeguards and kayakers who would provide race management.

Griffith said last year they attracted about 2 500 participants and with an annual increase by 15 to 20 per cent, they were expecting to top the 3 000 mark.

The 2006 Run For Life series begins on October 13 with the Surfside Wellness Centre Fit For Life and the Brazil Workout Dance For Life at 5 p.m. at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. These are geared at participants who attend a gym or are part of a fitness programme. Reebok master trainer Carol Murphy will take the participants through the aerobics challenge.

On the following day, the Rudy Project Ride For Life will commence at Long Beach at 4:30 p.m. This will be held along the South Coast and is a mountain bike trek.

The event concluds on October 15 with the Adidas Run For Life 5K and Digicel Walk 5K at 5:30 p.m. from Sagicor Wildey to the Boatyard.

At The Boatyard, the Ocean Spray Kids For Life 50-metre dash will be held on the beach for children seven years and under. There will also be fun events for children at The Boatyard.

To cap it all, the Sagicor Try-Athlete prize will be awarded to the most courageous participant. Anyone who competes in three or more events will be eligible.

The overall budget for the series is $200 000.