International group of athletes compete in Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, Expo and Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K®
NASSAU, The Bahamas – For the sixth consecutive year marathoners and running enthusiasts traveled to Nassau, the capital of the Islands Of The Bahamas, on the Martin Luther King holiday weekend for Marathon Bahamas, the preeminent endurance event for the country. Under the umbrella of the Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend, runners from 25 countries and 31 of the United States joined in the 26.2 mile Marathon Bahamas race that took place on Sunday, January 18 on a course that was designed to showcase the beauty of this remarkable island and all she has to offer.
A total of 108 competitors completed the full marathon, while 391 did the half marathon. More than 20 teams, comprising of six athletes each, competed in the relay. The overall male and female winners were husband and wife team Justin and Melissa Gillette from Indiana. The oldest male finisher in the full marathon was 92-year-old Enderle Reinhold of Germany, who was 92nd overall in 5:41:21. The oldest female was American Jean Evansmore, 70, who was 106th in 6:24:25.
Marathon Bahamas’ course is staged to present the island’s splendid history and diverse culture as participants’ traverse the race route. The 26.2 mile journey began at Junkanoo beach and wound through the historical downtown area of Nassau with staggeringly beautiful vistas along the way. The seashore panorama continued as runners hugged the northern shore of Cable Beach which finally lead to a seaside finish line at Arawak Cay.
Runners also participated in the Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure® 5K, a 4-Person Relay, or Half Marathon which preceded the marathon on Saturday. This was an opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate survivorship of breast cancer, remembering those that have been lost to the disease, and making a difference in the fight against the illness. In addition, a Health and Fitness Expo was open to the public and highlighted healthy lifestyle demonstrations, nutritional items, the most up-to-date running gear and more.
Marathons display the power of the human body in a distance that tests the grit and determination of its participants — from the elites to the back-of-the-packers to those who just keep moving — while the Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend Marathon showcased the best of Nassau which is immersed in history, natural charm, beauty, white-sand beaches, aquamarine waters and hospitable and welcoming residents.
