Dog days half marathon celebrates 5 years of success

Dog days half marathon celebrates 5 years of success
The marathon is open to kids who look forward to the annual event. The Grand Bahama Port Authority is the title sponsor of Dog Days Half Marathon and last year's medal presentation was held on Taino Beach in Freeport. The post race celebrations will once again be held on Taino Beach with music and a selection of fresh produce, food and drinks available for sale. (PHOTOS: MACKEY MEDIA FOR BAREFOOT MARKETING)

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA – Marathon enthusiasts and dog lovers can begin lacing up their running shoes in anticipation for the Annual Grand Bahama Dog Days Half Marathon in Freeport, Grand Bahama. On Saturday, March 2rd,  organizers will celebrate their 5th anniversary of this fun event which has raised more than $65,000 for local charities.

Dog Days Event Directors Siobhan Antonia-Bates and Nikki Waugh are ecstatic that their dining room table discussion has become an International success and looks to attract more than 600 runners in for their 5k, 10k and 1 mile and Half-Marathon races.

“Our major beneficiary in the past and again this year will be the one that started it all, the Grand Bahama Humane Society,” said Co-Director Waugh.

“Last year we assisted the Grand Bahama Children’s Home and we are very pleased to help them again. We’re both working moms, so it was very important for us to include the Children’s Home again this year.”

The dynamic duo has planned an even more elaborate event this year, by vamping up their ’swag bags’, which will now include UPF Sun T-shirts for all entrants celebrating the marathon’s anniversary.

“Runners covet their jerseys, and with International competitors, we want to keep up with the big boys as well as use them to help us advertise our event,” said Bates. The event moved to Taino Beach last year and will again feature lots of music, food, drinks, and fresh produce from the Rotary Wagon, Farmers Market, Regal Imports Distributors, The Wild Wagon, and Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company who have been a five-year sponsor.

“We’re very excited to see Dog Days going so strong,” noted event Co-Director Siobhan Antonia-Bates. “The support from our corporate sector, the community, and our families and friends has been mind-blowing.”

New sponsors Island Bedding and ALIV have also joined long-term event partners BWA-Purina, PharmaChem, GB Power, Katy’s Equipment, Paint Fair, Freeport Ship Services, Barefoot Marketing, and 242newsbahamas.  All lending the much-needed support for Dog Days Half Marathon,  and joining the title sponsor the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

“We can also announce that this year we have expanded even more into the international market,” added Bates. “We have large groups coming in from the United States to participate, so the word is getting out and we are so pleased for our partners, benefactors, and of course our lovely island.”

Registration for the 2019 Grand Bahama Dog Days events is now open and interested persons can visit www.grandbahamadogdayshalfmarathon.com to register or look for race information. “We welcome all runners, walkers, and of course dogs too,” noted Waugh. “Though we are becoming an international race, we still want to keep our out island feel too – and welcome all.”