Simons Hoping For Big Magic Mile Turnout
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Schools will be vying for prizes in the Skyport Magic Mile at the Flora Duffy Stadium on Saturday [March 2], with cash donations on offer to those with the highest participation numbers.
The school with the most entries in preschool, primary, middle, and high school will receive $200 from Skyport, who came on board as the lead sponsor in 2019.
Medals for the fastest runners from each age group will also be up for grabs, with a trophy presentation to the first-place winner in each category.
Skyport will also award $2,000 in scholarship funding to a dedicated college-bound Bermuda Pacers Track Club athlete.
Cal Simons, the head coach of Pacers, who launched the annual junior race in 1995, said there has always been a supportive relationship between the event and the schools.
And he is confident of another bumper turnout this year and hopes they can hit the 900 mark for the second successive year.
“We had 500 entries by last Sunday, and we’re trying to get somewhere near the 906 we had last year,” Simons told Bernews.
“The record is 1,009, and we would love to get to a thousand entries.”
Simons has become somewhat of a figurehead for Pacers, which formed in 1981, and said the Magic Mile has helped send thousands of youngsters to overseas competitions such as the annual Russell E Blunt East Coast Invitational Track Meet in Durham, North Carolina.
It has also afforded the Pacers coaches, and those from other local clubs, a chance to cast an eye over talented runners from 4 to 15 years old.
“This is a major fundraiser for the Pacers,” Simons said. “It will allow us to take athletes overseas to compete later this year.
“It also allows our coaches to recruit athletes we might not otherwise have an opportunity to see in action. Plenty of our kids have come through that channel.”
Among the Magic Mile “Hall of Famers” are Dame Flora Duffy, Dage Minors, Tre Houston, Juma Mouchette, Kyle Webb, Ryan Outerbridge, Khazi Sealey, Trey Simons, Jauza James, Allison Outerbridge, Alexis Bean, Kyrah Scraders, and Jaeda Grant.
The ever-popular event starts at noon and is open for boys and girls aged 4 to 15.
The 4 to 5-year-old boys and girls will run one lap of the track; the 6 to 7-year-old boys and girls will run two laps; the 8 to 9-year-old boys and girls will run three laps; and all other age groups will run four laps.
Qualifying races will be held in the 100 and 400 metres for athletes hoping to hit the mark for the upcoming Carifta Games in Grenada.
Awards, including free T-shirts for all competitors, will be presented at the end of each race.
Among the entertainment throughout the day will be the One Comm Family Zone, featuring face painting, caricature portraits by local artist Carlos Santana, free cotton candy, and giveaways.
The One Comm Pomm Pomm Station will also be on hand to help cheer on the runners.
Youngsters can enjoy bouncy castle experiences, including an obstacle course and a climbing wall at the Security Associates Kids’ Village.
There will also be a food truck row and a youth vendor marketplace, presented by Orange Bay Company.
“I’d like to thank Skyport for coming in as our title sponsor since 2019,” Simons added.
“They’ve added another element to the event, with the One Comm Family Zone and the Security Associates Kids’ Village.
“We’re also grateful for the involvement of Bermuda Timing. Last year was the first time they took care of the timing, which was a huge help.”
Race numbers can be collected from 10 am to 3 pm at the Flora Duffy Stadium on race day.
Registration, costing $15 plus, is open until midnight on Friday, March 1. Skyport Magic Mile. Click here to sign up.
