End-to-End at 25
Most people celebrate their 25th birthday with edible treats, good friends and perhaps a little dancing. This Saturday’s Catlin End-to-End will be no exception.The charitable walk, which has raised more than $4 million for local charities, will be honouring it’s 25th Anniversary with a bang.After the event which typically has 2,500 people walking, swimming, rowing, paddling, horse riding and cycling their way across the Island they will be throwing a bash in Dockyard from 12.30pm to 4pm.Food vendors will be selling hot and cold treats and music will be provided by local bands Prestege, Working Title and Bones from 1.30pm onwardsThere will be a ‘Charity’s Corner’ where people can learn about this year’s fundraiser recipients: Age Concern, The Adult Education Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Open Airways, The Family Centre, St John Ambulance and YouthNet.And to ensure people of all ages are enjoying the party, children’s games will be made available and City of Hamilton town crier Ed Christopher will be serving as Master of Ceremonies. The Bermuda Fire Service will also be on hand providing participants with a light mist of water when they pass the finish line.Catlin End-to-End chairwoman Anne Mello said the whole community was invited to come out and support the charities, participants and sponsors.“We hope to see as many people as possible there. It’s for all of Bermuda,” she added.One of the event’s forefathers Jon Borrill will even be returning to the Island for the milestone occasion.Mr Borrill joined with friends Clive Cotton and Paul Rowlerson in 1987 and decided to test their endurance by walking from one end of the Island to the other. The men had no idea then the simple wager would become the Island’s largest fundraiser and would benefit more than 80 local charities.“I think early on it was just a wager between friends, but I think 25 years ago people didn’t walk from one end of the Island to the other,” said Ms Mello.“Bermuda hadn’t embraced long distance walking at that time because the railway trails had just opened [to the public] so it was almost a challenge, a bit of ‘You can’t do that’.“In the beginning that was what the essence was, a lighthearted wager, and I think it took on a life of its own and gained momentum.”Mr Borrill flew in from Vancouver, Canada yesterday and is expected to take part in the fundraising walk alongside hundreds of residents and a handful of overseas visitors.This year a host of other special guests are expected to put their mettle to the test, including Governor Sir Richard Gozney.Sir Richard said he was attempting the End-to-End in honour of one of the beneficiaries, St John Ambulance. “[They] are much in need of financial support. I hope that I make it, for my sake as well as the charity's.”Health Minister Zane DeSilva, Catlin CEO Graham Pewter and CellOne COO Frank Amaral will be undergoing the Middle-to-End walk.Mr Pewter said he challenged the Health Minister to take part in the event at a videotaped press conference last year. “He accepted and we did it and I thought it was a neat idea, as the CEO of Catlin and him as the Health Minister, and it was great fun.“This time the same thing will take place with Frank Amaral of CellOne [one of the event’s sponsors].”Mr Pewter will also be playing the drums with his band ‘Bones’ at the event after-party in the large grassy area near the Frog and Onion Restaurant in Dockyard.He hopes he wont be too tired from the walk that morning, but explained: “I have a fairly good energy level so I anticipate it will be a lot of fun.”Mr DeSilva said he was taking part for several reasons. Firstly to give support to Catlin who continue to sponsor the event; and secondly to encourage Bermudians to get healthy and stay fit.“I would like to encourage all Bermudians to come out and support Catlin as one of our great corporate citizens and get in the exercise spirit.“On behalf of the Ministry of Health and the people of Bermuda, I would like to thank Catlin and Graham for their 25 years of continuous support of Bermuda and its people! Your generosity and thoughtfulness will be remembered for many years to come!”A new award, in honour of the event’s founding fathers, will also be given out for the first time at this year’s event.The recipient of the award is the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society which has been motivating participants with music and cheering in the area of Camp Hill, Warwick for many years.To register or to learn more about the event visit http://www.bermudaendtoend.bm.
As the Bermuda End-to-End celebrates its 25th anniversary, past participants shared stories of the fun, exciting or challenging times they have had throughout the multiple mile journey.
For the most part, participants have enjoyed taking part in the event. Many get to pass the time with close family or friends, enjoy the beautiful Bermuda scenery and raise money for some of the Island's worthy charities.
The Royal Gazette talked to a few participants including popular 82-year-old walker Joan Dismont who has taken part in every single event and even recruited younger family members to join in on the tradition. Here are their highlights.In 1988,
Joan Dismont signed up for the first-ever Bermuda End-to-End after spotting an advertisement in this newspaper and opting to give the feat a try. That first walk was thought to be a 'one-off' event and, unlike today, started in Dockyard and ended in St George's.Over the years the energetic senior has become a staple in the fundraiser she hasn't missed one.The 82-year-old couldn't share just one favourite memory from the Catlin End-to-End, but said the event has given her much joy and laughter over the years.“Perhaps the reason I like to walk is because my mother said I was born feet first. I am the oldest of ten children. Even these days I try to walk two or three times a week, but if I don't do that I still walk up and down the stairs in my house.”Mrs Dismont said she most loves passing by supporters, including her maternal family members who line up along Somerset Bridge.“They come by and wave to me. I always look forward to that and I always say I get my second wind of energy when I pass that bridge because I always have a soft heart for Somerset.”She also loves to pass by the Harmony Club in Paget because they play music she can dance to. Bailey's Bay in Hamilton Parish and Camp Hill in Warwick are her other favourite spots as supporters gather to wave flags and cheer, Mrs Dismont said.Five years ago the senior was honoured during the End-to-End's 20th anniversary and was able to convince family members to take part in the event relay-style.Daughter
Michelle Dismont-Frazzoni has taken part in the walk at least 15 times; while granddaughter Eva, age 14, walked her first End-to-End at age 12 and will this year be tackling the Middle-to-End with the Girls Brigade of St Paul's Church in Paget.Michelle said: “My mother's a great inspiration, her stamina is infectious.“Obviously I am younger and do it in less time, but she finishes and then is literally ready to go dancing!”Eva echoed the sentiment and said: “I am amazed she can walk the End-to-End. My friends don't even believe she has done it.”All three will be taking part in the 25th anniversary event.
Fran Tucker Griffiths was in fundraising mode in 1997 when she raised $5,000 for the End-to-End event.She was awarded top fundraiser at the tenth anniversary and given a plaque from sponsors The MarketPlace.“I had taken part in the New York City Marathon and already raised $14,000 for [cancer charity] PALS, so I was really in a fundraising mood.“I really don't mind asking people for money when it's for a great cause and of course when it's PALS it's a charity that my husband and I support very much.”That was one of her favourite memories, but every year she takes part she enjoys the atmosphere at the event.For the most part she said it's been a way for her to spend time with her close friends.“It was just a lot of fun. We just did it as girlfriends.“I think it's just a fascinating thing to do because you see parts of Bermuda that you would never ever see and just the beautiful railway trails and out in Somerset, the whole Island really. It just really makes you appreciate all the beauty here.”She has even learned some tricks along the way to prevent blisters: soaking her feet in rubbing alcohol and then covering them with vaseline. “I never got one blister,” she explained.Mrs Griffiths thanked the event's founding fathers and applauded the Catlin End-to-End for “encouraging people to be active and healthy and help so many people through the [support of] charities”.
Peter Frith didn't get to enjoy in the normal festivities and fun of the Bermuda End-to-End. “I only did it once and it wasn't quite the experience I was hoping for, put it that way,” he said.His wife, from the US, invited her friends down to join them for the race in 2004. Both friends said they had done a lot of walking, but one friend wasn't as experienced as she thought and was having problems with her legs by the time they reached the Causeway in St George's.Mr Frith said he stayed back to help her, but they were the last in the race, followed only by the St John Ambulance and a few stragglers.“We finally convinced her to stop and one of the volunteers came and picked her up and took her to Dockyard.“I continued on my own, but all the drink stations had closed up and I had no one to talk to. I overtook 12 people because I didn't want to be the last one. It was a quiet and boring walk.”
Lorna Anderson was in her late 30s when she won the first-ever End-to-End run in 1988.“I was like the first person to get my picture in
The Royal Gazette. I did the first two races and the first time we went from Somerset to St George's then did it the opposite way around.“I remember when I came across the Causeway that year there was a photographer and they snapped my picture.“I was excited but at the time I was so tired, but when I saw it in the Monday paper I was ecstatic.”She only took part the first two years finishing first both times but said she was happy to support local charities on the Island and spend time with friends.“It was like a gang of us, we had a great time doing it. The first year there was a ferry that met us at Albuoy's Point and took us all the way to Somerset.“People greeted us at the starting line and were offering fitness tips and drinking water and everyone would start the race at the same time.”Ms Anderson now works for Catlin, the title sponsors of the event. She treasures her front page picture and the event memories to this day.
