Despite sweltering conditions, it was all smiles for the May 24 runners who took to the roads in support of the New Beginnings $1 Million Campaign.The ten were going the distance for Bermuda’s youth: raising money to help out the Mirrors programme, and to finance grants for at-risk youth to pursue their education.“I just barely made it,” half-marathon runner E Michael Jones said. “But I ran across the finish line and I don’t have one blister — there were no after-effects.”Not bad for a 60-year-old who hadn’t trained, he noted, adding: “I found out about two weeks before the race that I have arthritis in my knee. But I was no worse for wear.”Mr Jones came in 26th in his “category of elders”, covering the 13.1 miles in three hours and ten minutes.“The crowd made it worthwhile. I didn’t realise so many people knew me,” he said. “I hope New Beginnings raises funds for the Mirrors beneficiary and for our students. I’m happy to lend a hand, or in this case, two feet.”Aside from the hills, the Bermuda Day runners had to battle intensely humid conditions.“The St John Ambulance were very busy,” Mr Jones said. “Quite a few people didn’t make it.”New Beginnings Education Trust founder Kerry Judd, who ran eight miles, agreed: “I have never, in all my life, had to run in humidity like that,” she said.Although she’s run in half-marathons twice before, she added: “There were points in this one where I felt like I wasn’t going to make it. It was killer for a lot of people but the rain was awesome. That last leg of the race was great.”For half-marathon contender Chris Anderson, the only challenge was beating his previous year’s time.“I’m not the type of guy to let anything get the best of me,” the bodybuilder told The Royal Gazette. “I just got up and ran.”Setting out from Somerset and finishing at Bernard Park took him two hours and 52 minutes. In 2011 he completed the race almost an hour quicker in a time of 1.58.15.“I didn’t like coming in slower this time, but I didn’t train for either of them. If there’s a next time, hopefully I can do a little better.”Undaunted by the humidity, Mr Anderson said: “It’s mind over matter. All those people by the side of the road, they couldn’t see me walking — my pride wouldn’t let me.”For relay runner Jennifer Calko, the run was “amazing”.She said: “I am 100 percent running the whole thing next year. The crowd pulls you through and gives you all of the energy that you need.”Aside from the “welcome cooling” provided by nature, Ms Calko said she was given ice by spectator Barry Brewer.Another onlooker on Harbour Road gave her a laugh, she recalled: “A lady was holding up a big sign that read ‘Don’t worry, you’re doing great, you are in front of my husband’.”And for relay runner Claire Nicholls, passing on her timer to the next team member made her regret that she wasn’t continuing.“Then, a friend of mine passed by, and so I started running with her,” she said. “Long story short, I ended up running all the way.“It was really hard toward the end, but I figured I’d come far enough that there was no point in quitting early. The cheering crowds that lined the streets made for an amazing atmosphere, and were the reason I was able to continue.”Runner Aprille Choudhry-DeShield, who crossed the finish line with Mr Jones and Ms Judd in tow, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and I’m doing the whole run next year.”Other fundraisers who took part were Nalton Brangman, Craig Bridgewater, Rebecca Davis and Rebekah Lazarou.