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Bermuda Triangle
Challenge Sails During Bermuda International
Race Weekend
2009 Bermuda International Race Weekend Set For January 16-18
BOSTON ÛÒ The Bermuda
Triangle Challenge, a trio of running events during the Bermuda
International Race Weekend (BIRW), is not disappearing any time soon as it
sails into its second year with record participation, announced Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel, the official
North American travel agency for the BIRW and the creator of the Challenge.
Held during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
weekend, the 34th BIRW is set for Jan. 16 -18.
The
Bermuda Triangle Challenge (BTC) consists of the KPMG Open Mile on Friday, Jan.
16, the Bermuda International 10K Run/Walk on Saturday, Jan. 17 and the
Butterfield Bank Bermuda International Marathon or Half Marathon, both set
Sunday, Jan. 18. Participants who finish three of the events and do not
ÛÏdisappearÛ in the process receive a commemorative BTC medal and technical
tee-shirt. Over 200 runners have registered for the 2009 BTC, a 200 percent
increase from its inaugural year.
ÛÏThe
Challenge is fast becoming an anchor event for the race weekend,Û said Thom
Gilligan, president of Marathon Tours and Travel and a ÛÏsurvivorÛ of the 2008
Challenge. ÛÏRunners want to challenge themselves and try something fun and
different. Spending a holiday weekend in Bermuda
in January is obviously a huge draw as well.Û
Kathrine Switzer, the
first woman to officially run in the Boston Marathon and author of ÛÏMarathon
Woman,Û will be running in her second BTC. Switzer, 61, won her age category in
the 2008 Bermuda International10K, winning a $100 prize in the process.
ÛÏIt has been a long
time since I won a running award and the first time in 45 years of racing that
I won a cash prize,Û said Switzer, a veteran marathoner with a 2:51:37
best.
ÛÏNaturally later in
the day I wanted to celebrate my newfound pro status with everybody so I
announced that drinks were on for as long as the money would last. I slammed
the hundred dollars on the bar and, for the record, it lasted 32 seconds.Û
Switzer will be the
featured speaker at the pre-race pasta dinner on Saturday evening at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess,
a sponsor and the official host hotel and sponsor for the BIRW. Switzer is a
popular guest celebrity for the hotel. Located on the shores of picturesque
Hamilton Harbor and just steps from the marathon and half marathon start and
finish, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess offers luxury accommodations and old
world charm.
One of the most scenic
courses on the planet, the Butterfield Bank Bermuda International Marathon
features spectacular views of Harrington SoundÛªs blue waters, elegant
pastel-colored homes and the islandÛªs lush green flora. The two-loop course
marathon course and one-loop half marathon course start and finish in Hamilton.
For more
information on the Bermuda Triangle Challenge and Bermuda International Race
Weekend travel packages, call Marathon Tours and Travel at (617) 242-7845 9:00
am to 5:00 PM EST or visit http://www.marathontours.com/. For more information on Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, visit www.fairmont.com/hamilton.
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