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It’s The End Of The world As We Know It (And They Feel Fine!)
Mon, December 5, 2016
200 runners traveled to the Placencia Peninsula this weekend for the 5th Annual End of the World Marathon. There are 2 categories: the full marathon which is 26.2 miles and the half which is 13 miles. And like most events such as these, it's not only about getting in your high impact workout nor is it only about winning, it is also about giving back to the Placencia school kids through scholarships. We were in Placencia this weekend and found out more from the Marathon Director, Chip Lovett. We also spoke to the 1st place winners about their journey along the scenic Peninsula.

Chip Lovett, Marathon Director
"The idea was to come up with a fundraiser for the peninsula and I am a marathoner , I have run marathons for years ,and when I first came down here 6 years ago ,I looked at the course from the air and I said this is the perfect course for a marathon and a half marathon , 15 mile peninsula, completely flat , beautiful scenery and it also seemed like an event that would bring all of the communities of the peninsula together."

"All of the proceeds from this marathon go to the high school scholarships for Belizean kids on the peninsula."

Robin Dodge, 1st Female - Full Marathon
"When they first started this race in 2012, I knew I wanted to be a part of it, I have had a few mishaps over the years with weather, trying to get down and so this is why this my 3rd year out of the 5, but I really enjoy this race , I think it is fantastic that the proceeds go to high school scholarship students, I feel strongly about education being an archaeologist and studying the cultural heritage and I am so happy to be a part of it."

"I have won 3 times so the pressure keeps building every year on wining and running."

Courtney Weatherburne, 7News
"What strategy did you use to get here?"

Egbert Augustine, 1st Male - Full Marathon
"All I did was to maintain myself at the front and force them to chase me and that's what I did."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So you ran the entire way or there were pauses, you had to take a break of course?"

Egbert Augustine, 1st Male - Full Marathon
"The entire way. I barely had time to prepare but due to dealing with the recruits, that is the time they have their physical training, that is the time I gain."

Harouka Yunokizo, 1st Female - Half marathon
"This is my first time."

Courtney Weatherburne
"How did you hear about the event and participate?"

Harouka Yunokizo, 1st Female - Half marathon
"My friends joined last year, so this year he invited us and I joined with them."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So how was it for you along the way?"

Harouka Yunokizo, 1st Female - Half marathon
"Really good, I enjoyed it and lots of children joined running so I really enjoyed it."

Leon O'Brien, 1st Male - Half Marathon
"I am a natural runner I just stay fit and just go into events when they come up. I feel good, I'm strong, I train well, so I am good."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So it was intense training going into the competition?"

Leon O'Brien, 1st Male - Half Marathon
"6 days a week, 2 hours a day running."

And for those recreational runners who didn't win or we should say, didn't necessarily participate to win, they enjoyed it nonetheless, because - even though the pain and suffering of distance running are very real - there's no place to do it than on a beautiful peninsula between the sea and the lagoon.

Mara Maheia, Half Marathon Runner
"I started first because I wanted to lose weight and then I love it , I love running , not really while I am running but when I am done , you feel proud of yourself that you achieve something , and that is my sport , I love to run."

Walter Santos, Half Marathon Runner
"I highly recommend this to all our individuals because we are a disaster response team, it is an individual effort, everybody does their own individual practices, if you come first, second whatever, our motto is to finish."

The marathon started in 2012. 28 kids from the Seine Bight team also participated in the marathon. About 24 students have benefited from the 4 year scholarship program. The proceeds from the marathon are also being used to help out 6 college youth.





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