HOW SUCCESSFUL will be the comeback kid in the Run Barbados Series this weekend?
He used to be part of a double dynamite team that the nation fell in love with; so passionate was their love that breaking up their night rest to cheer him on in the wee hours of the morning was a routine, a labour of love that asked for nothing in return for their unquestioned loyalty.
His running mate stole the spotlight and the headlines on the Saturday and he did the same on the Sunday. Hundreds came out to see him before the cocks could crow to signal the dawn of a new day.
I was part of that brigade as his guests made their way from the airport to Heywoods via routes like Oistins, Bridgetown, Black Rock, Fitts Village, Paynes Bay, Holetown, Weston, Road View and Speightstown.
I was also there the year his management team switched his course from Heywoods to Sam Lord’s Castle and witnessed an unprecedented dead heat, with Irishman Hugh Jones and Canadian John Maher sharing the top spot. It was so amazing that some wondered if it was planned.
I admired Jones for his tenacity and grit and could see why he was a perennial champion. He always wanted to win. Perhaps it was the presence of the legendary Kenyans that pushed him to prove a point.
Richard Kessio was a standout too, but Jones is a six-time winner and his record between 1990 and 1996 will take some beating.
Caught my eye
Victor Ledger from St Lucia is another that caught my eye. He was irrepressible with his loping strides and a determination that blew his opponents away a couple of times. He made his country proud not only as a long-distance ambassador but also as an amicable and humble human being.
Vincentian Pamenos Ballantyne added attitude and flamboyance, while American Kim Goff brought dominance with 11 victories. Bruce Lauckner set the standards.
Of course, my proudest moments and most exciting moments came when my homeboys Reuben McCollin and Adelbert Browne won accolades in the 26-mile events in 1988 and 1989 respectively.
It was a collective triumph not only for their dedication and persistence, but also a major fillip for coach Jerston Clarke and the multitude of partisan supporters who were willing them on and other leading foot soldiers like Keith Cumberbatch, Andrew “Micey” Brathwaite and David “Devil” Griffith to give their best from the start in 1982.
The event was doing fine on its own, enjoying the stardom it earned when lo and behold somebody came along and changed the script, apparently ignoring the adage which states that you shouldn’t try to fix it if it isn’t broken.
After 24 years of glory, acclaim and prosperity, the “king” was made to share his subjects with a member two notches down in the royal line and succession. It was an earth-shattering decree that saw the entourage go from as high as 300 or more in the embryonic years to as low as 70 or thereabout as it turned into a mature adult.
Its half brother was fast tracked and took away too much of its human capital to keep it credible. Consequently, its confidence was so badly bruised and its will so decimated, that they were forced to pull it off the road a few years ago.
It is rumoured that it spent the last three years on life support, but now sufficiently recovered, that it is able to hit the road again like it used to back in the day.
It is understood that new management decided the time was right to do the honourable thing and give a proven star a chance to enhance its track record or some would prefer to say regain lost ground.
Some hold the opinion, though, that the virtual simultaneous clash with its half brother again might condemn it to defeat and could force it back into retirement, if not for good, for a lengthy period. Surely, another enforced sabbatical will hurt its once spotless and glorious reputation.
The kind of support it gets on the road will be crucial. Anything less than a provisional 150 to 175 could be considered a disappointment if we juxtapose the huge numbers similar events attract in other jurisdictions. We have to take into account our size, comparatively speaking, and we shouldn’t attempt to create a rivalry, even if inadvertently, because our overall numbers might not be adequate to accommodate two major events.
Not only that, even if the comeback kid commands the numbers I suggested or hopefully even more, I hope the idea of developing another cadre, another generation of outstanding marathoners like Browne and McCollin will be high among the long-term objectives of those who are plotting its return.
The tourism numbers will always be a focal point; the more the merrier, because it’s the lifeblood of our economy, but the development of our young distance runners must be deliberate and not incidental in our premier road running festival. Perhaps greater financial and other incentives can be considered to create more attention from more world-class runners.
I truly wish for a triumphant return of the marathon and all the other events this weekend. Good luck to all.
• Andi Thornhill is an experienced, award-winning sports journalist. Email andithornhill1@gmail.com