Sub three-hour Marathon Bahamas!

Mon, Jan 16th 2012, 09:38 AM

When asked what was his motivation for going out there and running the fastest Marathon Bahamas ever, American Bryan Huberty's answer was simple: To hurry up finish and rest so that he could watch his Green Bay Packers play the New York Giants later in the day.
Well, it didn't go too well for his Packers yesterday, but the Wisconsin native came with his game face on.
Representing the WildSide Online Elite Racing Team out of South Florida, Huberty powered through the streets of downtown Nassau en route to a stunning 2:42.53 run in the third annual Marathon Bahamas yesterday morning. It was a new Marathon Bahamas record for Huberty, and his third marathon title in his distance running career.
Huberty, who came here in November to study the course, said that he was training for the past year to actually run a 2:30 marathon. He said that a re-occurring hip injury along with leg cramps prevented a sub 2:40 race, but he is still satisfied with the run and the new record.
"It's always fun leaving America and doing an international marathon," he said after the race yesterday. "It was a challenge, especially with the hill, but it's a very beautiful country. The support medical staff was excellent. I needed some medical attention afterwards and they were there for me. I've done 20 marathons and this one is right up there with my favorites. It will always have a very special place in my heart because I was able to win and set a new course record. To me, that was very pleasing," added the 33-year-old Marathon Bahamas Champion.
Bahamian runners finished second and fourth overall behind Huberty yesterday. Sidney Collie, who finished second behind Delroy Boothe in the inaugural running of the event two years ago, ran 2:47.40 for second yesterday, and former Marathon Bahamas Champion Boothe settled for fourth. National record holder Boothe ran 2:59.31 two years ago, but crossed the finish line at Arawak Cay in fourth place yesterday, in 3:01.19. American female Angela Cobb split the Bahamian pair, running 3:00.17, for third.
Collie, who is coached by Ashton Murray of Bahamas Turbulence, said that he was training twice a day to get ready for this year's event. He didn't take part in Marathon Bahamas last year, but shaved about 24 minutes off his time from two years ago.
"I tried to pull him (Huberty) in but he was a little too far out and he managed to get away," said Collie yesterday. "I know him from racing him abroad. I felt like it was not my best effort today, but it was okay. I'll try to improve on it for next year."
Collie said that he felt good knowing that he ran the fastest time ever by a Bahamian in the event, and that it took a new course record to beat him.
"Overall, I was satisfied. There were a lot of people along the route cheering and that helped me to keep going," said Collie. "I felt myself getting tight coming down to the end of the race, but I just pushed it. The course itself was a bit challenging, but through the grace of God, I made it through. My family was here to support me all through the race, so that was a motivating factor as well. Just the thought to be so close to being number one kept me going. It's an awesome feeling to be the fastest Bahamian in this event, but I would have loved to catch the overall winner."
Overall winner Huberty, who now lives in Miami, Florida, said he definitely plans on coming back next year to defend his title. In addition to running a new course record yesterday, he also ran a personal best time by about 10 seconds.
"The last five miles I really started laboring a bit," said Huberty. "I just decided to keep on pushing through the pain so that I can watch my Green Bay Packers play and hopefully beat the Giants. The scenery was amazing. I've done marathons in New York and Chicago, but nothing compares to The Bahamas. The beautiful scenery was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here. I came here in November and studied the course and felt like I had to come back. Having that fresh breeze from the ocean was ideal for running and I loved it. The wind was a little bit of a challenge, but it wasn't too bad. The heat didn't bother me, but I have a history of cramping up, so I just wanted to pace myself in the first portion of the race, especially the bridge. The goal was to stay relaxed and not use too much energy in the first half of the race. Overall, it was a challenge, but it was a lot of fun."
The first woman to cross the finish line in the full marathon yesterday was Angela Cobb from Melbourne Beach, Florida. When asked about her experience yesterday, Cobb used an old Bahamian tourism slogan: "It's better in The Bahamas."
The 28-year-old American finished third overall behind Huberty and Collie.
"It's my first time here and I love it," said Cobb. "I feel good. The wind was kicking a bit on the last half and that had an effect on me, but I just kept pushing. I just came out here to have fun today. To be the first female to finish is a good feeling. I was trying to get a 2:49 or a 2:50, but to come out in good health and be the first woman in the process is a good feeling," she added.
The first Bahamian female to finish the full marathon yesterday was Cheryl Rolle. She finished in 4:10.03.
Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas Chairman Franklyn Wilson said that his degree of satisfaction with the event includes the following: growth and time reduction. He witnessed both yesterday.
"The main thing for us was improvement," said Wilson yesterday. "We recognize that it is a growing business and we have to get better and better. We had runners here today from 20 different countries and that was a first for us. It was a good thing to hear runners speaking on how awesome it was and how well it was organized. These are the foundations on which we will build.
"When you look at the range of sponsors that we have this year, clearly the business community is beginning to understand the importance of Marathon Bahamas, and that's locally and regionally. Overall, I feel tremendous that evidence of progress is apparent to so many different people. We're not there yet but our goal is to work hard to ensure its overall success.
"In addition, the times are now in a range where world class runners can appreciate the quality of running here. What was important for us this year was to get the finishing times in a respectable range and a time like 2:42 begins to attract the attention of world class runners. That was significant for us."
Wilson said that Marathon Bahamas might not be as lofty as some of the more established marathons in the world, but added that they are indeed headed in the right direction.
"We can't beat other world class marathons in terms of prizes. We're not there yet but Marathon Bahamas is unique in so many different ways," he said yesterday. "Where else in the world can participants run against such a beautiful backdrop? Everyone wants to come to The Bahamas. To be here running, and to get massages on the beach afterwards is first class treatment. You can't beat that," he added.
As for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday, Wilson said that he was ecstatic about the large number of participants and added that it was a terrific prelude to the third running of the marathon yesterday morning.
"What the Susan G. Komen Race has done, is turn this event into a multi night event," said Wilson. "One of our motives is tourism so it was ideal to increase the length of stay for some of the visitors. The Susan G. Komen Race is one way of doing that, and with tomorrow (today) being a holiday in the United States, it has turned into a four-night stay for some visitors. That was part of the strategy.
"In addition to that, the fact that we are doing it in connection with Komen, allows us to tie into a very important point about breast cancer. It is a global problem and it is affecting our women in particular to a degree that is exceptional. Younger women are getting it and when they are diagnosed, it is at a more advanced stage than normal. When you look at this thing, it is spreading a very powerful message about health, wellness and breast cancer, and we in Sunshine Insurance are very happy and encouraged to be associated with that."
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was held early Saturday morning, starting on Church Street in front of St. Matthew's Church, and finishing in the open area adjacent to the Atlantis Tennis Courts, on Paradise Island.

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