Organizers of the Powerade Run Barbados Series have dropped the flagging marathon and introduced an aquathon (swim and run) while looking to top the 2 000-participant mark in the 30th anniversary event from December 6 to 8.
The decline in athletes, both local and overseas for the marathon, resulted in some people, including coaches and runners, asking for the scrapping of the event and for greater emphasis (and money) to be placed on the half-marathon.
In a Press briefing at Divi Southwinds Resort yesterday, sports manager of the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), Gregory Armstrong, announced that an aquathon would be staged on Saturday, December 7, [starting] with a 500-metre swim at Brownes Beach.
“Following the 3:30 [p.m.] swim, the competitors will take a break before taking part in the ICBL 3K which will start at 4:35, five minutes after the Powerade 10K both of which are expected to be started by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart,” said Armstrong.
While the marquee event will be the half-marathon, which commences at 5 a.m. the following Sunday, 30th year celebrations will start on Friday at five o’clock in the evening with a massive event planned for Dover Playing Field involving the Zumba Bunnies and the popular entertainer Mikey.
The Fun Mile will follow, with hundreds expected to face the starter’s gun at 10 p.m.
Armstrong said the monetary requests from international running stars were prohibitive in getting them to come for the Barbados series.
He added that the BTA’s thrust was in promoting the family outing concept as well as satisfying the desire for healthy activity in well organized events.
Last year, over 1 700 athletes took part in the series and the BTA has targeted surpassing the 2000-mark with the Digicel CEO Challenge and the ICBL Schools 3K rising in popularity and attracting increasing numbers.
Registration has already started online.
