RenRe challenge gets a new look
It’s all change for the annual 10-mile road race this weekend along South Road, with a new name for the event and a new five-mile race being held in conjunction with the main race.The RenaissanceRe 5 and 10-mile Challenge takes place on Sunday morning and is the new-look to what was formerly known as the Cornerstone 10. RenaissanceRe is now the main sponsor.And, as a further addition, this year’s 10-mile race will feature a corporate team race with the first three runners from the same company counting in the results for the trophy.The 10 miler has long been popular with runners as part of their build-up towards the May 24 Half Marathon.Starting near the ‘Lagoon’ property, south of the Botanical Gardens, on South Road. Competitors will run eastwards, with the 10-mile –runners turning around at a point just beyond Paynters Road and returning to the finish at the ‘Lagoon’ property, while competitors in the shorter race will turnaround at an earlier point on the course.Race directors of the –Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club-organised event are John Thompson and Laura Haynes, who between them came up with the idea of adding the shorter race to attract more competitors and a corporate challenge to give an extra competitive edge.Thompson said: “The corporate challenge is an add-on. There needs to be a minimum of three competitors from the same company taking part and it is restricted to the 10-mile race.”Finishing positions will be added together to determine the winning team. It is hoped the team event will grow in future years.There is no additional cost to compete as a team, and there will be lists of teams and incomplete teams at the pre-race number pick-up on Saturday so that runners who may qualify to join a team which is already listed can do so.The race was originally –created by former Premier Dr David Saul, and a trophy in his honour will be presented to the overall winner of the 10-mile race. There will also be numerous other race awards in both events.As usual, there will be an early start at 8.30am for runners in the longer race who do not expect to complete the distance within 90 minutes. The main start is at 9am, with the five-mile race setting off five minutes later.Parking will be available at the ‘Lagoon’ property.Thompson said: “We want to thank Mr Tucker who has given us permission again to use the ‘Lagoon’ property for the race.”Entries for the race can be made online through Bermuda Timing Systems and www.racedayworld.com, and will close at the end of Thursday. Number pick-up is on Saturday at RenaissanceRe on East Broadway.