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Community Shows Strong Support for University of The Bahamas UBFIT 2025

Tue, Apr 29th 2025, 10:05 AM
Community/Charity Education Sports

The community came out in full force for the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) UBFIT 2025, with more than 600 people running, walking, biking, and skating across 5K, 10K, and 15K race courses on Saturday 26th April.

In its eighth year, UBFIT New Providence has grown into one of the biggest health, wellness, and community-building events in The Bahamas. It continues to draw people of all ages and backgrounds, creating a powerful sense of unity and support for UB.

Organizing Committee Co-Chair Kandice Weech, who also serves as Acting Associate Vice President of Development at UB, was thrilled by the turnout and genuine community and corporate support. Some race participants were from abroad, while Mr. Peter Fletcher, rowed his canoe again this year as a remote participant.

“UBFIT 2025 was a great success. We had over 600 participants here. The community came out and participated – alumni, corporate sponsors, faculty, staff, students, and friends of UB,” she said. “The energy and excitement were high.

“People love UB and also supporting UBFIT, so the outpouring of support was no surprise. Health and wellness remain a national imperative which we must continue to take seriously and this community is showing they are vested in the movement and we are tremendously grateful.”

More than 20 corporate sponsors showed overwhelming support this year, with Doctors Hospital serving as the title sponsor and Bakertilly as the platinum sponsor. Fidelity Bank Bahamas Ltd., Island Luck, and Commonwealth Bank also came on board as gold sponsors. Fidelity Bank alone brought 85 participants to the event.

“At Doctors Hospital, we believe movement is medicine and we believe that living a healthy lifestyle and doing things to advance your health is important and we try to be partners in people’s daily lives to make that happen,” said Carlyle Bethel, Manager, Finance, Marketing and LAMP at Doctors Hospital. “I jogged the 5K…it was a great course. Everything was so well done. It was a fantastic job and we had a wonderful time this year.”

Beyond promoting health and wellness, UBFIT is also an important fundraiser for UB, helping to support student success and strengthen the university’s ability to meet the nation’s development mission. Over the past eight years, UBFIT has raised half a million dollars for the university’s greatest needs.

“Not only is it about raising resources for the university but it is about engaging the community. UB is owned by the entire Bahamas community and this is an opportunity to get everyone involved and encourage us to stay fit,” said UB Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Gadville McDonald. “We are excited about this event. Last year was great. This year was great and we congratulate all of the organizers who put this together. I am looking forward to next year.”

University Drive, Nassau Street and West Bay Street came alive with fun walkers and runners, as well as highly competitive participants who view UBFIT as a fast course — perfect for pushing boundaries and achieving personal best times.

UBFIT is the only competitive race on the island offering a unique 9.3-mile (15K) extended race challenge. UB’s Pure and Applied Sciences faculty member, Moussa Kounta, captured first place in the 15K male category, while Javara Johnson claimed the top spot among the female competitors.

In the men’s 10K – ages 30-39 category – Anthony Saunders secured the win, with Courtnee Roberts clinching first place in the women’s ages 40-49 10K race category. Suzy Eneas won the 5K – ages 40-49 women’s race – while UB alumnus Keval Williams locked in the 5K – ages 20-29 men’s category.

For many participants, UBFIT is more than just a race; it’s a tradition and a celebration of community spirit. Some, like avid walker Mr. Leslie Miller, have taken part every single year since it began.

“There was a big crowd and I was so happy. I think this crowd is as big as last year’s. I’ve been doing this from the time UB started this eight years ago and I have never missed one yet,” Mr. Miller said.

Mr. Miller, along with Archdeacon James Palacious, Michael Dillett, and Collin Thompson received special recognition for being race participants together for 8 years.

As UBFIT continues to grow, it remains a shining example of how fitness, community spirit, and education can come together to make a real difference in the lives of students and for a university that is integral to nation building.

The community came out in full force for the University of The Bahamas’ (UB’s) UBFIT 2025, with more than 600 people running, walking, biking, and skating across 5K, 10K, and 15K race courses on Saturday 26th April.
In its eighth year, UBFIT New Providence has grown into one of the biggest health, wellness, and community-building events in The Bahamas. It continues to draw people of all ages and backgrounds, creating a powerful sense of unity and support for UB.
Organizing Committee Co-Chair Kandice Weech, who also serves as Acting Associate Vice President of Development at UB, was thrilled by the turnout and genuine community and corporate support. Some race participants were from abroad, while Mr. Peter Fletcher, rowed his canoe again this year as a remote participant.
“UBFIT 2025 was a great success. We had over 600 participants here. The community came out and participated – alumni, corporate sponsors, faculty, staff, students, and friends of UB,” she said. “The energy and excitement were high.
“People love UB and also supporting UBFIT, so the outpouring of support was no surprise. Health and wellness remain a national imperative which we must continue to take seriously and this community is showing they are vested in the movement and we are tremendously grateful.”
More than 20 corporate sponsors showed overwhelming support this year, with Doctors Hospital serving as the title sponsor and Bakertilly as the platinum sponsor. Fidelity Bank Bahamas Ltd., Island Luck, and Commonwealth Bank also came on board as gold sponsors. Fidelity Bank alone brought 85 participants to the event.
“At Doctors Hospital, we believe movement is medicine and we believe that living a healthy lifestyle and doing things to advance your health is important and we try to be partners in people’s daily lives to make that happen,” said Carlyle Bethel, Manager, Finance, Marketing and LAMP at Doctors Hospital. “I jogged the 5K…it was a great course. Everything was so well done. It was a fantastic job and we had a wonderful time this year.”
Beyond promoting health and wellness, UBFIT is also an important fundraiser for UB, helping to support student success and strengthen the university’s ability to meet the nation’s development mission. Over the past eight years, UBFIT has raised half a million dollars for the university’s greatest needs.
“Not only is it about raising resources for the university but it is about engaging the community. UB is owned by the entire Bahamas community and this is an opportunity to get everyone involved and encourage us to stay fit,” said UB Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Gadville McDonald. “We are excited about this event. Last year was great. This year was great and we congratulate all of the organizers who put this together. I am looking forward to next year.”
University Drive, Nassau Street and West Bay Street came alive with fun walkers and runners, as well as highly competitive participants who view UBFIT as a fast course — perfect for pushing boundaries and achieving personal best times.
UBFIT is the only competitive race on the island offering a unique 9.3-mile (15K) extended race challenge. UB’s Pure and Applied Sciences faculty member, Moussa Kounta, captured first place in the 15K male category, while Javara Johnson claimed the top spot among the female competitors.
In the men’s 10K – ages 30-39 category – Anthony Saunders secured the win, with Courtnee Roberts clinching first place in the women’s ages 40-49 10K race category. Suzy Eneas won the 5K – ages 40-49 women’s race – while UB alumnus Keval Williams locked in the 5K – ages 20-29 men’s category.
For many participants, UBFIT is more than just a race; it’s a tradition and a celebration of community spirit. Some, like avid walker Mr. Leslie Miller, have taken part every single year since it began.
“There was a big crowd and I was so happy. I think this crowd is as big as last year’s. I’ve been doing this from the time UB started this eight years ago and I have never missed one yet,” Mr. Miller said.
Mr. Miller, along with Archdeacon James Palacious, Michael Dillett, and Collin Thompson received special recognition for being race participants together for 8 years.
As UBFIT continues to grow, it remains a shining example of how fitness, community spirit, and education can come together to make a real difference in the lives of students and for a university that is integral to nation building.
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