The inaugural Run For Pompey - a new charity running event in George Town, Exuma - could help breath new life into Exuma's economy during the traditionally slow October season. Kevin Taylor, co-founder of the event and president of Dreamkatcher Media, yesterday told Guardian Business that the charity event's target market of participants boded well for stimulating the island's economy and encouraging future investment in the island.

"Runners for the most part tend to be high-end individuals, and they are used to roughing it, so they are down with meeting the locals and I think that's the way that tourism is going now. We have beautiful sun, sand, and sea - and perhaps none is better than Exuma - but I think people really want to connect with the locals and learn about our culture, our traditions, and food, and I think that those are the things that bring people back," Taylor said.

Set for National Heroes Day on October 12, the event will include a 5k, half-marathon, full marathon, and a 50k ultra marathon - a first for The Bahamas. However, cookouts and educational events on the island will span the weekend from October 9-12. "It's slow in October so I think that the people of Exuma will love that. Who knows, if people visit the island they're more likely than not to fall in love with the island and perhaps even think of having it as their next vacation destination or perhaps even a second home opportunity," he said.

Sponsors for the event include chief sponsor BAF Financial, the Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas Telecommunications Company and Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company. Olympian Pauline Davis-Thompson is the event's patron. The proceeds of the event will go towards the Exuma branch of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas and an annual scholarship fund for one Exuma student.

While the event's organizers hope to draw in roughly 100 runners for the first year of the event, Taylor said the organizers had reached out to Bahamian running clubs, along with international runners' organizations including the Miami Marathon and various Canadian running clubs. "Once we get it going with Bahamians I think that's when international runners will want to get involved... We have some international registrations so we're looking to get at least 100 runners out there and hopefully it will grow as we continue to evolve," he said.

Between now and September 1, the event's organizers will also be encouraging participants to engage in the event's social media campaign, which is offering free race registration for select applicants. In addition, Grand Isle Villas, one of the event's sponsors, will offer a 40 percent discount to registrants.

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