Bermuda is on its way back to some sort of pre-pandemic life, as the 2021 Bermuda Day half marathon is exactly one week away.
“The race committee, as you can imagine, has been very busy putting the final details of the race together, so we are asking for the patience of everyone, especially our participants,” race organizer Dr. Gina Tucker-Smith said.
To adhere more to the Coronavirus regulations, runners will start the race in groups of 25 people, with the top runners being in the first wave.
“ Runners will be grouped according to their [previous] times,” Dr. Tucker-Smith said. “ The 20 fastest men and the five fastest women will start first. The remaining waves will be ordered slightly differently.”
There will be approximately one minute in between each starting wave, with the first group starting at 8:30 a.m. and the relay group starting at around 8:50 a.m.
“The finish line will close at 12:30 p.m., as it always has, but note that the starting time is a little earlier, so everything will balance out, ” Dr. Tucker-Smith said.
Race organizers are asking any spectators to play their part; there will be no congregating at the start or finish lines like there may have been in previous years.
“Just the runners will be [at the starting line], and they will be working to keep their distance as well,” Dr. Tucker-Smith said.
Dr. Tucker-Smith believes that, 100 years later, the Bermuda Day half marathon is still accomplishing what it was originally supposed to do way back then; bringing the community together.
“ [The race] brings hope, unity and a level of spirit; so we are all excited [for next week],” she said. “ Bermuda will get beyond this pandemic, so this race is a nice way to bridge us into some level of normalcy soon.”
Runners will go the usual St. George’s-Bernard’s Park route; going through Hamilton Parish, up Flatt’s Hill towards Middle Road, past the Arboretum, down Lane Hill to Front Street, Queens, Reid, King, Victoria Street to Cedar Avenue and ending at the Bernard’s park.
“ We always encourage runners to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and at this stage of their preparation, they should be doing just that,” Dr. Tucker-Smith said. “ On the route, there are at least ten water stations plus the relay water stations, so there is plenty of water and Gatorade.”
In addition to the water stations, the Bermuda Red Cross and St. John’s ambulance will be keeping an eye out and assisting those who might need help.
“ We are quite used to this type of event causing challenges for people; as it is all in the spirit of this race, so we will be prepared,” Dr. Tucker-Smith said.
As of today Friday, there were only 17 open spaces left, so anyone interested in participating is encouraged, if they have not already done so, to register as soon as possible.
Photo courtesy of The RG
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