Not for the first Mother Nature brought forth some of her challenging element in time for the Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge, yet neither wind nor rain served to damper the enthusiasm associated with this year’s event, the first since the intrusion of the Covid pandemic.
The Island welcomed as many as 700 athletes for the three event weekend, starting with the Butterfield Mile on Friday, followed by !0, half-marathon and marathon distance races.
Tourism Minister Vance Campbell, for one, was encouraged by the influx of visitors and local participation and hospitality provided.
“From the weather aspect of it, it was posed a challenge,” said the Minister. “But I believe that we got the best out of the weather, that we could have hoped for, in that the rain held off for all of the races.
“We had the races go off with some wind, but today was not so much wind.
“The competitors put in the effort and I’m made to understand that we had more than 400 runners here from overseas, which is great considering some of the challenges we have with airlift. And some of them brought a plus-one with them, so from a tourism aspect it is encouraging.
“Out on the course and in true Bermuda tradition, we’ve had an abundance of spectators out on the course, cheering the runners on, so overall I’d say it’s been a good weekend.”
Veteran runner and organiser Harry Patchett agreed with the Minister, in that the 2023 version was a success of lower quantity, yet an encouraging start post-Covid.
“The numbers were a little low, as we’ve had close to a thousand previously,” said Patchett. “But post Covid it a step along the way and you have to continue to build.
“Because, they all want to come back. The love Bermudians. They love Bermuda. They’re having a good time.
“It’s a very scenic course. It goes all along the south shore, past Long Bay, Horshoe Bay and Church Bay and they enjoy it.”
Callum Hoeman partner at Price Waterhouse Cooper Bermuda, among the event’s main sponsors, similarly expressed pleasure at Bermuda being able to welcome a tradition all it’s own, with a few new wrinkles.
“It’s fantastic to be back,” said Hoeman. “I believe the Bermuda community really missed this event and it’s a very special one that gets some many international participants as well, so it’s good for Bermuda’s international image and a great one for locals to get out an involved in sporting.
“I love this course. The previous marathon that we did were with a double loop and if you done the marathon, after starting together, the second loop could be very lonely.
“This one allows the marathoner to join up with the half marathon and have company from around mile 14, which is much more comfortable.”
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