As the 117th annual Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby sponsored by AIG, prepares for another exciting race day, incoming president Melissa Looby says the future of the historic event will be built on honoring tradition while embracing innovation.
Looby, who officially steps into the leadership role following this year’s race, spoke passionately about the cultural significance of the Bermuda Day classic and the responsibility of carrying forward its legacy.
“I think a big part of this race is remembering the reasons,” Looby said. “Being privileged to have been mentored all this time by Dr. Gina Tucker and the committee is huge. It’s about remembering what this race means to Bermuda and how culturally important it is.”
While preserving the Derby’s rich history remains a priority, Looby also emphasized the importance of evolving the event to attract more participation and engagement from the community.
“One of the reasons Dr. Tucker brought me onto the race was around innovation and finding ways to get as many people involved as possible,” she explained. “Not only runners, but committee members, spectators, and supporters. We want to get the race in front of more people and bring back some of the bigger traditions that may have fallen away over the years.”
This year’s race is already showing strong momentum, with registration numbers among the highest in recent years. As of Thursday afternoon, organizers expected participation to surpass 1,300 runners.
“The numbers are looking good,” Looby said. “It’s one of our higher years.”
The Junior Classic is also drawing strong participation, with 73 young runners registered as of Thursday night. The youth race begins near Dockside and continues to serve as an important part of Bermuda Day festivities.
For the main event, runners will once again finish at Bernard Park after organizers decided to move away from Court Street following last year’s return to the race’s historic roots during the 115th anniversary celebrations.
“The biggest reason for going back to Bernard Park is logistics and the athlete experience,” Looby explained. “We went back to Court Street to honor the history, but when we spoke to athletes, the resounding response was that Bernard Park is where they wanted to be.”
This year’s finish line will be positioned closer to Dutton Avenue, with North Village’s field once again being used to create the energetic atmosphere runners and spectators have come to expect.
With hot weather forecast for race day, Looby urged runners and spectators to take precautions and remain patient throughout the event.
“Hydrate, definitely,” she stressed. “We’ll have medical personnel and emergency services on hand, but we also need the community’s cooperation. Please listen to volunteers and police officers who are volunteering their time to keep everyone safe.”
Looby also thanked the Ministry of Transport for adding a second ferry to Somerset after the first ferry sold out quickly with more than 550 passengers booked.
“We’re grateful for the support,” she said. “We want to get as many people to Somerset Bridge as possible for the start.”
The Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby begins Friday morning in Somerset and follows its traditional route through Middle Road, Harbour Road, Front Street, Queen Street, Church Street, King Street, Victoria Street and Cedar Avenue before ending at Bernard Park.
Road closures begin at 7:30 a.m., including Barnes Corner, with rolling closures throughout the morning. Looby encouraged the public to travel early and plan ahead.
“We always get messages from people who get stuck,” she said. “Please plan ahead, travel early, and help us make this a safe and successful Bermuda Day for everyone.”
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