“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service” said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Though not men, two women have taken up this call and contributed significantly to local charities through sport and friendship.

The fourth Annual Dog Days Event which was held in late March this year was organized by good friends Nikki Waugh and Siobhan Antoni-Bates, and featured several races including a one mile, 5k, 10k and half marathon. 

“Every year, our event grows and this year we actually doubled our participation levels” explained Siobhan Antoni-Bates, co-director of the Dog Days Marathon, “we hope to one day make the event a destination running event for Grand Bahama.

We put this event on 100% on our own and we are so grateful for the continued support of our Corporate partners as well.”

The event which started as a means for the ladies to train to meet their personal race goals, has now turned into a national attraction and one of the largest fundraisers for non-profits.

This year’s races attracted over 600 runners, the largest group to date and was made possible by annual sponsors GB Power, Barefoot Marketing, 242newsbahamas, PharmaChem, MSC, Katy Equipment, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage, Purina Dog Chow, Coca Cola, Dasani, and many others as well as well as local non-profits, friends, supporters and race helpers. Leading the impressive list of sponsors was the Grand Bahama Port Authority who came onboard as the event’s title sponsor.

“The GBPA is honored to be the title sponsor of the Dogs Day event.

It is an event that combines community building with the opportunity to support some of the island’s most worthy charitable organizations, notably the GB Children’s Home,” said Executive Director of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Henry St. George.

“All of us at the GBPA are thrilled with the outcome of the event, and we look forward to continuing our support of the race and of the GB Children’s Home, a place very close to our collective hearts.”

Besides helping the home, the ladies were also able to donate over seventeen thousand dollars to the GB Humane Society.

“We are still in shock” said Tip Burrows, GBHS Director.

“When Nikki and Siobhan started this we were expecting them to help us buy some extra food each year and maybe some needed beds – now they are helping us with much needed medicines for the animals and the spay and neuter program.  We cannot thank them, the GBPA, and all sponsors enough.” To learn more about the Dogs Day marathon and all the work they do in the community please follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or visit their website. “We know we are a bit late with giving out our funds, but trying to organize two busy mom’s schedules can get hectic,” said Waugh.

“Now we take a few months to go over what we liked and what we didn’t, and get ready for March 2019.”

Dog Days Half Marathon, was started in 2014 by Siobhan Antoni-Bates and Nikki Waugh, working mom’s who wanted more racing opportunities and to support the Grand Bahama Humane Society. The race also has a 10k, 5k races and a One Mile Fun/Run for adults, kids & of course dogs.  For more information, can be found on the events website: http://grandbahamadogdayshalfmarathon.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Dog-Days-Half-Marathon-1552092198388424 

Dogs Day: Students pose with their Dogs Day Medal at the GBPA Finish Line this year. (Photo by Dogs Day for Barefoot Marketing) 

Dogs Day Donation 2018 - Pictured our Jean Hivert (middle), GBCH Treasurer receiving a donation check from the Dogs Day team as well as title sponsor, GBPA Executive Director, Henry St. George. (Photo by Dogs Day for Barefoot Marketing) 

Dogs Day dynamic duo Moms present their $17,000 donation check to the GB Humane Society team. (Photo by Dogs Day for Barefoot Marketing)