BRADES, Montserrat – The second Volcano Half-Marathon on Montserrat this Saturday, November 27, 2010, is already one for the record books as the expected number of participants have already tripled from the first year’s event.
The Volcano Half-Marathon is the brain child of Ishwar Persad and the Montserrat Running Club Inc, a non-profit organization which says this year’s funds will go to support Childline, a telephone help line for children.
The Half Marathon begins at 6am from the Blakes Football Field and pre-registration is required. The Fun Run and Walk kicks off at 6:15am from Cudjoe Head and no pre-registration is necessary. Participants can register on the morning of the race from 5:30am and this is free.
So far 53 runners have registered for the 13.1 mile half-marathon, including 41 from overseas from countries such as the England, Scotland, USA, Canada, St Martin, Antigua, St Kitts and Trinidad.
Attractive prizes will be awarded for both races. The first placed male and female finishers in the half-marathon will each receive EC$1,000, with EC$750 for second place and EC$500 for third place. The first youth half-marathon finisher will receive EC$500. For the 5K Fun Run and Walk, the first, second and third placed runner and walker will each receive EC$200, EC$150 and EC$100 respectively.
Significant public support and revelry is expected along the race route which encompasses Blakes Estate, St Johns, Sweeneys, Carrs Bay, Little Bay, Brades, St Peters, Woodlands, Lower Friths and Salem. The finishing area for all races will be Salem Park, where DJ music will be provided by Multi Plex I Power Sounds, and local breakfast and other treats will be on sale.
The main sponsors are the Montserrat Tourist Board, LIME, the Governor’s Office, United Insurance and the Government of Montserrat’s Sports Department.
Last year, there were only 14 runners for the first installment of the Volcano Half-Marathon.
Forms and other details of the route are available at www.volcanorunner.com.
