BELIZE CITY—Dedicated veteran long-distance runner, Anthony “Ladies” Flores stopped by the sports desk this morning to remind fans of the upcoming BDF Day Half-Marathon, which takes place next week Saturday, August 30.
The 53-year-old Masters athlete, who has won the Masters Division of the race the last two years, says this will likely be his last BDF Half-Marathon, and he intends to make it three in a row, after previously losing for fifteen years behind his long-time nemesis, deceased Wilhelm Bailey.
“The last time we raced together, it was really close,” said Ladies. “He only managed to beat me in a finishing sprint. I was looking forward to beat him the following year, but unfortunately he passed, bless his soul. Bailey was a great runner who used to often race barefoot. He was an inspiration for me, because I always looked forward to the day when I would beat him.”
Ladies said he expects his hardest competition this year to come from Mark Godoy, who placed second to him in last year’s race.
(The reigning Open Half-Marathon champion is Leon O’Brien of Belize City.)
According to newspaper advertisement, the “Henry Usher Half Marathon” starts at 6:00 a.m. from near Mile 4 on the George Price (Western) Highway, travels through Central American Boulevard to the Philip Goldson (Northern) Highway, to finish inside the Price Barracks in Ladyville, where all-day events will be held in connection with the BDF Annual Family Sports Day.
There will also be a 10 km race, starting at 6:30 a.m., and a 5 km race, starting at 7:00 a.m. on the same day, all ending at Price Barracks.
For more information on the races, contact Major Elfryn Reyes at 610-2275 or email at: elfryn.reyes@bdf.mil.bz.
