Gomez-Caines Shines In Heritage Junior Classic
[Written by Don Burgess]
At just 12 years old, Nicolas Gomez-Caines is already proving he belongs among Bermuda’s up-and-coming running elite. While Hasim Ming earned the top spot in the Heritage Day Junior Classic, it was Gomez-Caines’ third-place finish—and his sheer determination with only four weeks of training—that captured the attention of many onlookers.
Gomez-Caines has been training for about a month and decided to enter the Heritage Day Junior Classic with just two weeks of preparation under his belt. He trains once or twice a week with G’s Elite and also works out with his father, Maurice, two to three times a week at TN Tatem Field or the beach.
Nicolas, who plays football with PHC Zebras youth football programme as well as some golf and basketball, said, “I just decided to sign up” with his motivation being he wanted to take part in the May 24th running festivities, “I just felt happy that I signed up for it.”
The Sandys Secondary Middle School added, “The race was it like it was pretty good and I actually surprised myself because I did that” [was up near the front]. “I never knew I could do that.”
As he came on to Court Street and he could see the finish line, Gomez-Caines said, “I was thinking that I have to end the race as good as I started good.” The new runner gave it all he had as he finished strong amongst the throng of people cheering.
He said his performance has deepened his passion for the sport. “I was already into running, but that race made me want to train more and run even more. I’m still pretty new to the running scene, but I’m going to train harder. The reason I wanted to join a running club was to help increase my speed.”
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