December Marathon and Half Marathon to Support More Scholarships for Youth

By JEFF WHITE Press Officer Rotary Club of Placencia placibr@btl.net

The marathon has become known for its fun water stations and great organization. More sponsorship opportunities are available to help the cause. Visit runbelize.org

BEK KIM PHOTOGRAPHY

MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHS

Please join us for the seventh annual End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon. On Dec. 9, about 250 runners from 11 countries and 17 states in the United States of America will run the length of the Placencia Peninsula once or twice depending on whether they compete in the 13.1-mile half marathon or the 26.2-mile full marathon. As in the past, the event promises to be a truly rewarding experience that includes fitness and fun on our beautiful peninsula supported by over 100 volunteers from all peninsula communities. A distinguishing feature of our marathon, unlike any other international marathon, is the water station competition in which runners can enjoy the antics of our many entertaining station volunteers while they stay hydrated. This year there will be 21 water stations spread out over the 13.1-mile course. There is also "fun run" activities planned for kids age 12 and under. These young runners can sign up on the morning of the race. Runners appreciate lots of enthusiastic spectators, so if you won’t be running, please join us to cheer on the runners.

Beyond the fun and athletics, your registration fee will go towards educating Belizean children. All of the proceeds from the marathon go towards educational scholarships. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Rotary Club Scholarship Committee, last year’s marathon funds contributed to our three scholarship programs. We had 30 students in our high school program —- seven in fourth form, six in third form, nine in second form, and eight in first form. Six students were funded in our 6th form program and were enrolled in three different colleges. We also started a new program this past year, the Trades 4 Life Program, a post-high school program focusing on vocational education. Six students completed the intensive program and earned certificates: two for air conditioning, one for plumbing, and three for welding.

None of this would be possible if not for the generous support from our sponsors. Our sponsors this year include: At the gold level (BZ$5,000), Splash Dive Center and RF&G Insurance; at the Silver level (BZ$2,500), Turtle Inn, Maya Beach Hotel, Chabil Mar Resort, Belize Bank, Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas, and Bowen & Bowen Company Ltd. (Crystal and Powerade); at the Bronze level (BZ$1,000), Rotary Club of Placencia, Belize Tourism Board, Atlantic Bank, MnM Hardware, Singing Sands Inn, Taste Belize, Parrot Head Club of Belize, Tipsy Tuna, and Captain Jaks; and at the Patron Level (BZ$500) Barefoot Bar, Caribbean Beach Cabanas, and Muy’Ono Hospitality.

We can always use more sponsors and we are still looking for sponsors for some Seine Bight runners. Anyone who is interested in sponsoring either the event or a runner can contact Chip Lovett at chip@ runbelize.org.▪

MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHS