The inaugural Bankers half-marathon is attracting a number of top local and international distance runners as registration for the Independence Day event is going very fast.
This according to CEO at Bankers Insurance Vance Gabriel who also revealed that the company has forked out over $200,000 for the event.
"We are amazed at the response we have gotten thus far in terms of the athletes, the quality of the athletes and the number of them rushing to be part of our event. What is even more surprising is the fact that we hosting this event for the first time."
Although it will be Bankers' first time hosting the half marathon they are going all out to make sure the event is a success and up to international standard.
"We have contracted International Marathons' (AIMS) Measurer, Bernard Conway to measure and certify the course. This will be done from August, 1 and 2, 2015 under Police Escort. Having the course certified will lend credibility to our race and should a runner break a record, then same will be recognized. A number of our runners are now using the race as a precursor to the Rio 2016 Olympic qualification."
Among the top men coming for the event will be Livan Loque Reyes from Cuba, Rupert Green out of Jamaica, T&T's Richard Jones, Curtis Cox, Guyana's Kelvin Johnson and Lionel Dandrade, as well as the evergreen Pamenos Ballantyne St Vincent and Zepherlnus Joseph from St Lucia.
The race begins at Atlantic Plaza in Couva and will finish at Bankers Head Office in Chaguanas. The top prize is $12,000 and this will be nabbed by both male and female which is unique as normally the men runners bag more. However according to Gabriel," We want to make it clear that we see the efforts of both male and female as the same and hence they must be compensated equally. We are proud of the fact that we are making it as equal as we can and this shows our regards for our female runners."
Registration continues daily at Bankers Head Office, 2 Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas, as well as the following branch offices and agencies–Branch Offices:.#7 Long Circular Road, St James, #3 Carib Street, San Fernando, Avant Garde Insurance Services Limited (Cunupia), Carlyle Consulting Services Limited (Freeport), Insure "R" Us General Insurance Agency Limited (Cocoyea & Mayaro), Paul Phillip (Marabella), Watts Insurance & Financial Services Limited (Chaguanas), Raymond Sadri (Point Fortin), Lindsey Robert Gibbings (Port of Spain), Triple A Insurance Services (Rio Claro), Tommy Elias Insurance Services (Tobago), Verindra Maharaj (Chaguanas), Ramish Ramkissoon (Valsayn) and Nicolas Benisar (Cunupia).