Dear Sir,

I was inspired by the recently published Letters to the Editor as well as countless conversations I have had regarding the decision of Gina Tucker and the organising committee to limit the participation in the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby.

I am writing to encourage others to share their voice and demand that Dr Tucker and the organising committee reverse this decision. When I read that the committee’s rational was a “a deliberate step to foster local participation”, I questioned how this exclusionary policy would incentivise more locals to participate in the Derby.

Are Dr Tucker and the organising committee concerned about non-Bermudians winning or outshining locals? Based on the uproar from last year, that seems to be the sad and puerile reason for the policy change and the epitome of poor sportsmanship. Excluding others for the sake of ensuring “the event remains a genuine reflection of Bermuda’s culture and community” is contradictory to my experience of Bermuda.

The exclusionary decision of the organising committee and the support by sports minister Owen Darrell is embarrassing and not a true representation of Bermuda.

Whether it is a Bermudian whose family have been here as long as the island’s inhabitance or a recently relocated expatriate, I find that people here generally want to maintain old and foster new connections, and are excited to welcome new faces to the island — whether temporary or permanent.

I have experienced that very few residents’ personal connections are isolated solely to Bermuda, and most have a network of friends, family and colleagues who are either from overseas or move away for some period of time. It is important that these connections are fostered and that we do not isolate ourselves as a community.

I appreciate that, maybe, this welcoming and hospitable culture is not the general consensus or experience, and that protectionist policies need to be enacted to safeguard job and homeownership opportunities for Bermudians. But as it relates to a road race, what is the committee actually fostering and who — or, more specifically, whose ego — is being protected?

If we take these policy changes at face value, it is illogical to track their merit. If there is a deeper reasoning behind them, the committee is using this race to exercise its narrow-mindedness and xenophobia. I would like Mr Darrell to explain to us how excluding others, including those that have deep connection to Bermuda, brings out the best in Bermuda to support tourism, culture and sport.

This policy is antithetical to sportsmanship and running culture, and it is laughable that our Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport is in support of this exclusionary change. I am curious as to whether Dr Tucker and the organising committee conversed with the local running groups and runners. Based my experience of the inclusiveness of the various local running groups and runners, I think not. If these groups were not consulted, I hope they speak up and request that this decision be reversed.

Bermuda’s running groups are the epitome of welcoming and inclusive. No matter your background, pace, experience, residence/status or running goals, runners are met with open arms and encouraged in their pursuits. Many may consider running an individual sport; however, true runners are motivated by the success of others, regardless of whether that success is a personal milestone or a measurable record.

Although spectators may be energised by a heroic effort and fast time, they generally are not lined up along the course to witness the front-runners. Instead, spectators are there to cheer on friends, family, neighbours and visitors, and don’t just pack up their chairs and leave once the lead pack has passed. As a local, I enjoy meeting non-local competitors and am excited that a visiting participant gets a unique perspective from the racecourse and gets to experience the enthusiasm and support of what I believe to be the best spectators of any racecourse anywhere — including the Boston Marathon!

Maybe this is just a race or an isolated decision that may not merit a second glance; however, I think it is a unique opportunity for you, the reader, to speak up, take agency and effectuate change. We may not be able to effectuate change quite yet on some of the bigger policy issues the island faces, but this is a tangible issue where people —those with status and those without — can make an impact if they so choose.

I encourage you to reach out to the race committee, sponsors, friends and family, and demand that this decision be reversed. The rationale behind this policy is weak, exclusionary and not a reflection of Bermuda’s culture and community.

KATIE RIIHILUOMA

Sandys