As a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the year 2020 has been filled with disruption for most sporting events. This has not only impacted Bermuda but has had a global impact, most notably with the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite this the Bermuda National Athletics Association felt the need to salvage one of the signature events for the 2020-21 sporting season.

As you would be aware, the 2021 Bermuda Triangle Challenge has been cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, this cancels the Front Street Mile, a signature event on the BNAA calendar. This event is a longstanding favourite for our athletes, specifically our aspiring junior athletes who look forward to it.

They also use this event to prepare for International events such as the Carifta Games. As one of the BNAA’s mandates, we strongly support the development of the youth of Bermuda and aspiring athletes, and feel it necessary to find alternative solutions that continue to foster their development in the sport of athletics.

As a result of numerous requests from our athletes and coaches, the BNAA executive committee met and discussed our options. After careful consideration and recognising that we would be able to stay within the Covid-19 guidelines, the decision was made to move forward with the mile event.

Recognising that because of the government-issued Covid-19 guidelines for sporting events, we could not host the traditional “Front Street Mile”, we have rebranded the event and titled it “The Mile Reloaded 2021” with sponsorship from Butterfield & Vallis.

Each category will remain the same: Primary School, Middle School, High School, Open, Masters and Senior Masters. The event will be entirely local and, as a result, we will not have an Elite category.

The trials will be held as was originally scheduled, on December 11 at the National Sports Centre. The top 20 in each category will qualify for the finals.

The finals will be held in an undisclosed location on January 16. We plan to make the unveiling of the location a contest for athletes. Clue No 1: it will not be held on Front Street. Follow social-media pages for clues as the date of the Mile Reloaded approaches.

We are excited and pleased that we will be able to salvage at least one of our signature events for 2020-21. We continue to look forward with hope towards our 2021 season.

You can register for the trials at https://www.trackie.com/online-registration/find-event/