In a departure from their typical annual destination run, Capt'n Fun Runners added a new twist for 2015: Instead of researching foot races in fun and unique locales, in October, the group traveled 900 miles to sponsor a race and raise money for a tiny island's only secondary school. But why that particular place was chosen is actually a story in itself.
Runners are runners all over the world, and sporting a running T-shirt is an invitation to chat.
"While my wife Nancy and I were vacationing on Belize's Caye Caulker a couple of years ago," said Capt'n Fun's Glenn Windham, "We met a guy wearing a running shirt. That led us to the Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill, whose owner was also a runner. We mentioned our running club, and he pointed to a photo on the wall, and there was Capt'n Fun Runner Bob Moore!"
While previously working in Bagdad as a civil contractor, bar owner Scott Waters had formed the Bagdad Running Club. Bob Moore also worked in Bagdad and joined Waters' running club.
That chance meeting became the impetus for this year's "Fun Air" destination. The idea of returning to Caye Caulker to do a run was discussed, but because the Capt'n Fun Runners always raise money for charities, conversations with island representatives were essential to determine what cause needed the support. Ultimately, the school was chosen as the recipient.
Ocean Academy is the secondary school on Caye Caulker, a 5-mile long, 1-mile wide, low-elevation, white coral sand island on Belize's Coral Reef.
Because Caye Caulker Village is only accessible by water taxi or small plane, students wishing to further their education had just two choices to attend school: A 40-mile round- rip boat ride to mainland Belize, or a boarding school on the mainland.
All that changed in 2008, when Canadian Joni Miller stepped up and opened the Ocean Academy. Although the government recently began providing minimal funding, even today, 85 percent of the less than 80 students attending depend on scholarships, grants and donations for their tuition. Fourteen students graduated in June from the 10th grade, its highest level.
"We began fundraising locally," said Tanya Moore, Fun Air co-coordinator, along with her husband, Bob. "With the help of Aloha Screen Printing, a T-shirt was designed that we sold for donations to the school. We also brought the school thumb drives, file folders, page protectors, 14 refurbished donated laptops, two new printers (one donated), ink and toner."
But the real fun for the 36 Capt'n Fun Runners began when they arrived at the quaint fishing village, where foot, bicycles and golf carts are the normal modes of transportation.
After making contact with school officials, they set up "race headquarters" in Waters' Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill.
No student or teacher who ran or volunteered to work the race paid an entry free, but they received T-shirts. Shirts were sold to ex-pats, locals and tourists visiting the island.
"Almost 70 people actually ran the race, not counting volunteers," Moore said.
A typical 5K race was not possible, due to the island's "split." In 1961, Hurricane Hattie opened a passage a few inches deep. Islanders decided it was a practical waterway from the west to the east side of the island, and hand-dredged it, first for dugout canoes. Today, increased tidal flow has naturally dredged the opening to 20 feet, and larger boats can transverse it.
"Taking a cue from the island's motto," Moore said, "we called the race the Caye Caulker 'Go Slow' Fun Run." The distance was two miles.
"The day of the race was dreary, rainy and messy," Capt'n Funner Jean Luke said. "Even though everyone was worried students would not be able to get off their flooded streets to catch a ride with someone headed to the race, the principal and PE teacher were still very motivated."
"I don't think they had ever seen a race being put on, much less as organized as a Capt'n Fun Run," Fun Runner Rosemary LaPorta said. "The kids began getting so excited, even though there was more rain standing on the sand/clay streets than was running off."
"Everyone was so happy to be cheered as they crossed the finish line," Luke said. "It was a wonderful event — you better Belize it!"
For their efforts, all winners, male and female in various age groups, received Capt'n Fun medallions from previous runs. Mardi Gras beads were given out all over the island, especially on race day. The Capt'n Fun Runners raised more than $2,000 for Ocean Academy, and heard pleas from the kids to "come back next year!"
No comments:
Post a Comment
Name
Last Name
Address