Distance runner Anthony "Tony" Longley, a member of the Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club, organized a "55 @ 55 B'Day Run Series" in recognition of his 55th birthday. Shown are some of the persons who took part in the run. Longley is shown kneeling third from right among the group of runners at the start of the final leg of tje series last Saturday. (Photo: Bahamas Roadmasters)

In observance of his 55th birthday on July 3, distance runner Anthony "Tony" Longley, a member of Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club (BRRC), devised a unique way to celebrate his birthday.

Under the theme "55 @ 55 B'Day Run Series", Longley launched a one-week long series of runs with a goal of accumulating 55 miles of running between Saturday June 25 and Saturday July 2.

Using social media, the initiative was publicized complete with a schedule outlining the date, time, venue and distance earmarked for each of the eight legs of the run series. Running enthusiasts were invited to join Longley on any segment of the series at either of the three starting venues used during the week -- Goodman's Bay, Harbour Bay Shopping Centre or the Seagrapes Shopping Plaza.

About the response Longley said: "I was really amazed at the turnout each day which averaged about a dozen persons. On the final day last Saturday, I was overwhelmed. We began from Goodman's Bay at 4:45 a.m. and there were almost 50 persons there for the start of the final leg which was a 12-mile run. It was so exciting."

Immediately after the runners returned to Goodman's Bay a birthday party was held on the park. The event even gained acceptance abroad as friends of Longley's overseas chimed in on social media indicating they'd ran or walked certain amount of miles as a part of the initiative. Longley said, going forward, he plans to make this an annual charity event to mark his birthday. He said: "Stay tuned for next year's 56 @ 56 B'Day Charity Run Series."

He expects the popularity of the event to grow from year to year.

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