Gayle Lindsay On Half-Marathon Derby
[Written by Stephen Wright]
When Gayle Lindsay first set foot on Bermuda nearly 12 years ago, winning the island’s most prestigious road race was the furthest thing from her mind.
Now, she stands as a two-time Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby champion – an achievement that still feels surreal to the Scottish runner.
“If you told me ten years ago, I’d be standing here as a two-time winner of the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby, I don’t think I’d have believed you,” Lindsay told Bernews.
“I’ve been on such an incredible running journey, and I feel immensely grateful to be in this position. No matter what happens on Friday, I’ll always be proud of what I’ve accomplished.”
As she prepares to defend her title in tomorrow’s [May 23] 13.1-mile race, Lindsay is well aware that the road to a third consecutive win will not be easy.
With a strong field of competitors expected – including former champion Isabelle Dutranoit – the women’s race is shaping up to be fiercely contested.
“There are very talented athletes who don’t run many of the local races, so it’s tough to gauge exactly how I’ll stack up until we’re all on the start line together,” she said.
“Isabelle Dutranoit, who won the race three years ago, has registered and I expect her to be one of the toughest competitors out there.
“She dominated the field three years ago, so she’ll be incredibly tough to beat. There are a lot of very talented runners so, as always, I expect there to be significant competition for the podium.”
Lindsay has enjoyed an impressive season, securing her seventh consecutive Swan’s Running Club Legends Series women’s title.
In March, she earned a silver medal in the women’s individual 10K at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gainesville, Florida.
“My preparations have been going well,” she said. “Most importantly, I’ve been really enjoying the training process.
“I try to focus on finding joy in the journey itself, which has helped take some of the pressure off the outcome of race day.
“I still want to perform at my best, but I’ve learned that the satisfaction I get from the hard work and progress during training is something that no race result can take away.
“It’s about enjoying the process, staying present, and knowing that the effort I put in will always be valuable, regardless of my final time or position.”
The 36-year-old’s focus now turns to the mental and tactical aspects of the race.
“My results in recent local races have been encouraging, and they give me a sense of where I’m at personally,” she said. “There’s a tactical element to all races, regardless of the distance.
“However, 13.1 miles is a long way, and a lot can happen between the start and the finish.
“There’s a lot to consider and this is what can make it such an exciting event, both for participants and spectators.”
For Lindsay, the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby is about more than just the competition. It is a celebration of culture, community, and the island she now calls home.
“The Bermuda Day Half Marathon means a lot to me – the race has so much incredible history and the day is an awesome celebration of everything that makes Bermuda special,” she added.
“The energy on Bermuda Day is unlike any other race and it makes the whole experience so memorable. Without a doubt, it’s one of the absolute highlights of my running calendar, and I can’t wait to be a part of it again this year.”
For extensive coverage of Bermuda Day spanning the past 15 years, visit our website BDADay.com , the island’s most comprehensive resource on the Bermuda Day holiday.
- Over 8,000 photos here
- Over 200 videos here
- Holiday graphics here
- History of the race here
- Bermuda Day Timeline here
- Dedicated website: BDADay.com
