BDO accountancy firm Managing Partner Paul Lungu (left) with St. Maarten Roadrunners board member Oscar Williams (right).
COLE BAY--Country Club Port de Plaisance will be welcoming scores of runners this coming Sunday, May 21, for the BDO Half Marathon, powered by International Liquor, and Tobacco Trading (ILTT). Runners also have the option to run a 10K or 5K distance.
This year, St. Maarten Road Runners collaborated with main sponsor BDO and co-sponsor ILTT to organise the event. BDO, a leading accountancy and consultancy firm in Curacao, Bonaire, and St. Maarten, introduced the "Fit for Life, Fit For BDO!" campaign in 2022. “This dynamic campaign promotes a two-fold message.
Firstly, it stresses the importance of employees being physically and mentally fit in their personal lives, enabling them to excel in the workplace. “Secondly, it highlights that to be the right fit for BDO involves embracing a healthy and balanced lifestyle. As running contributes to improved physical and mental well-being, we are delighted to align our name with this event,” said BDO Managing Partner Paul Lungu. ILTT has been a loyal partner of St. Maarten Road Runners for several years. Once again, this year they are supporting organisation of the Half Marathon and hydrating the runners with drinks. The start and finish will take place Port de Plaisance in front of the Country Club Wellness Centre. The half marathon, a distance of 21.1km, will circumnavigate the entire Lagoon, both Dutch and French side, attracting runners from St. Maarten/St. Martin and many surrounding islands.
The 21K will depart at 6:00am, the 10K at 6:30am and 5K at 7:00am. “It’s not unusual to see vacationing tourists joining in for these events which is always pleasing to see, and sometimes an unknown runner will pull off a surprise in the results,” said organisers. “Every year it is nice to see which corners of the world the runners come from. We welcome everyone who is on St. Maarten to run with us.” The distances 5km and 10km are also offered as an option to run. “Shorter distances but not less challenging. There are some tough hills on the course but generally it is doable for all levels of runners”. The routes cover the well-known roads of the Causeway, Airport Road, and Rue de Hollande, Marigot. Registration is open until Friday, May 19, at 3:00 pm. One can register for the desired distance by completing a registration form that is listed on the St. Maarten Road Runners Facebook & Instagram page. Race numbers can be picked up on Saturday, May 20, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the entrance of the Country Club wellness center.
Registration fees are $25 for the 21K, $17.50 for the 10K and $15 for the 5K. St. Maarten Road Runners acknowledges the excellent cooperation and support from sponsors BDO Dutch Caribbean, ILTT, Country Club Port de Plaisance, Shipwreck Shops, Impulse Spa Clinic, Princess Casino, Caribbean Runner, Tri Sport, Heavenly Water, Johnny Caker & Skip Jack's, to make this event possible.
