Bahamian Keithrell Hanna has come a long way since he stumbled across the finish life in the inaugural Marathon Bahamas six years ago.
The second place finisher from the full marathon last year, shortened his distance in going after the half marathon title this year, and to say that the results were in his favor would be an understatement.
Hanna, 41, won easily, in 1:17:28, about three minutes faster than second place finisher, 43-year old Spencer West of Boston, Massachusetts. West was second overall, in 1:20:26. Bahamian resident Will Fairbairn, 36, finished third overall in the half marathon, in 1:30:43.
"I'm doing plenty speed work so I really wanted to come out here and do the half this morning an see how I would fare in that," said Hanna. "It feels great. I just want to give thanks to the Almighty God who is the head of my life. He always keeps me focussed. I just thank Him for the victory.
"It wasn't much competition like how I expected, so I was able to just relax and run a smooth race. I think I'll be back and forth between the half and the full marathon but more so I'll be doing the full. This was just a change of scenery for me this morning. I thought about giving it a shot, so I just went out there and did it. I felt a bit stronger. Every year, I try to improve on certain aspects of my running, and I was able to do that today."
The sixth running of Marathon Bahamas on Sunday morning also featured some Bahamian flavor on the female side, particularly in the half marathon.
Converted distance runner Crystal Strachan ran in her second half marathon yesterday, and was impressive in finishing third overall, in 1:37:38. The 28-year old Olympic hopeful trains out of Iten, Kenya, a town with a high-level training camp, and one that is known for producing top notch talent. Strachan, who has represented The Bahamas at numerous regional junior meets, took part The Bahamas Half last November, and finished second overall, in 1:34:20. This time, she was about three minutes slower, but said that she was just happy to overcome the challenges of bridges and pace herself throughout for a steady run.
"I'm a little disappointed because it is about three minutes slower than what I ran in November, but having ran the 5K yesterday (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday morning), I knew that I was coming into this event fatigued, so I figured that I would be around 1:35-1:40. I got a 1:37, so I'm pretty excited with that.
"The longer I run, the faster I get over the shorter distances, so it has definitely paid off. I'm pretty happy with that. It's just a matter of deciding what shorter events I want to focus on this year. I'm definitely going to do the 1,500 about once or twice this year, but I think that the main focus is going to be the 800 meters," she added.
Winning the overall female title in the half marathon yesterday was 44-year old Kathy Provencher from Waterbury, Vermont. She finished in 1:35:54, a little less than two minutes ahead of Strachan. Californian Christine McDonald, 48, finished second behind Provencher and just ahead of Strachan, in 1:36:03.
Despite her success, Strachan said that the 800 meters (m) is still her favorite event, and the main reason for running the 13.1-mile half marathons is to get stronger over the half-mile event. She is the second Bahamian in recent memory to train in Kenya, joining former CARIFTA Games teammate Oneil Williams.
"I feel myself getting stronger and better and that's the good thing," said Strachan. "In the beginning I just did it (half marathons) for fun, but then that competitive edge settled in and you really try to do your best. The best distance athletes in the world are in Kenya, there's no doubt about that. Every year, the Kenyans are breaking records in the distance events, so why not travel over there and get some of that training."
Strachan was advised by Williams to give it a shot and she has. She said that her goal remains qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the women's 800m.
"I want to get there. That is my main focus right now and I have about a year and a half to go. That would be a huge plus for me," said Strachan. "It's about time that The Bahamas has a distance runner at a major championships. I'm working hard toward accomplishing that, and hopefully I'll get there."
The Bahamas has never had an athlete qualify for any Olympics or senior world championships in any track event longer than 400 meters. Strachan has high aspirations of being the first.
As for the race yesterday, she said that she was a bit concerned about the bridges, but once she conquered that hurdle, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.
"This morning wasn't too bad. I would [have] liked for it to be a little more flat so that I could have ran a faster time, but in the end it was okay. I can't complain with the time that I ran and it does make you stronger in the end," said Strachan.
Male half marathon winner Hanna said that the bridges were somewhat of a challenge as well, but added that he was just focussed on running a smooth race and producing a respectable time.
"I wasn't too worried about the bridges. The weather was fine, and I was moving swiftly so it didn't affect me as much. I didn't catch much sun because I finished in a little over an hour. I just thank God that I was able to finish healthy and with a good time, and also for the win. It feels good to come out on top," he said.
The 6th Annual Marathon Bahamas featured runners from all cross sections of society yesterday. The foreign element continues to drive the sports tourism event which is increasing in popularity from year to year.
Runners from over 20 countries and as far away as New Zealand, Russia and Qatar, including the event's first independent wheeler, a runner who runs barefoot, and a French diplomat who was running in his 100th marathon, took part in Marathon Bahamas yesterday. For the first time, a group from Providenciales, Turks & Caicos took part. The Provo Roadrunners were represented 13 members yesterday.
One of their members, Judith Garland, said that one of the goals of the group is to promote healthy lifestyles.
"We participate in a number of international marathons, but this is our first time in The Bahamas. We all enjoyed it. It is very organized," said Garland. "The bridges were a bit challenging but we made it and overall it was a great experience. The weather was perfect, and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. Coming from Turks, we have the same type of scenery so we're used of that, but it was a great setting for a marathon. The music and encouragement along the route was fantastic. Everything was top notch, and we had a great time," she added.
Garland finished the half marathon in 2:20:15. She said that coming off an injury, she was pleased with her time and is looking forward to continued progress in the future.
The Provo Roadrunners, which has a membership of about 50 runners, is just one of the many groups that participated in the sixth running of Marathon Bahamas yesterday.

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