It has been a long time since the May 24 Marathon Derby race has been linked to its spiritual home of Court Street, but that connection will be re-visited this year and is likely to bring 600 to 800 people crowding into the neighbourhood where one of the world’s oldest annual road races so often finished in bygone days.

The 2007 race, which will be the 97th, will be run on the now familiar route from Somerset to Bernard Park on Bermuda Day. But the day after — Friday — all the competitors and quite a few family and friends are expected to gather for a much-enhanced prize-giving event.

That prize-giving is expected to be outdoors near to Court Street.

For the first time Bermuda’s signature running event will follow the lead of other road races and hold a prize draw with everyone’s race number included in the draw for some soon-to-be announced major awards.

The Marathon Derby Committee is now headed by Gina Tucker, and is working to improve the Island’s touchstone community sporting event as it moves ever closer to its 100th anniversary year.

A dream target is to boost the competitor numbers to 1,000 for the centenary event, and to move towards that target new ideas are being introduced this year that should entice many more first-timers to give the 13.2-mile event a go.

As an extra incentive a special prize category for first-time runners will be featured.

The Marathon Derby overall “king and queen” winners can expect an expenses-paid trip to an international race of their choice.

But that is not all. The event will now raise money for specific nominated charities, and charity groups that would like to be considered have until March 27 to get their proposals in stating why they would like to benefit from the thousands of dollars this year’s event will generate.

Competitors will pay an additional $10 when they enter and this will go towards the nominated charity. Participants can also collect extra funds with race pledge sheets.

“Our new strap line is ‘Giving you a reason to run’ and that encompasses our goal for 2007 — to give something back to the community while also increasing enthusiasm for the race from a runner and spectator perspective,” said Dr. Tucker, Bermuda Marathon Derby president.

Spectators will be able to make charity pledges through text messaging to one of the marathon’s sponsors CellularOne.

Dr. Tucker, a daughter of former race organiser Richard Tucker, told the Royal Gazette the charity aspect was a new initiative because “the event is about Bermuda and her people and we are giving back to Bermuda. This will be the first year of what will become a tradition. People can run and support a charity.”

Explaining why charity is now to feature so prominently in the race, she said it had been noticed that over the years people have used the event to raise funds for various causes and now there would be a way for everyone to give something to the race’s official charity each year.

Regarding the prize draws to be made the day after the race, which will be incorporated in the award ceremony, Dr. Tucker said: “Everyone who takes part will have a chance to win and this will be a victory celebration for the event. You have to be present to win, and there are going to be some big prizes, music and entertainment.”

A pasta party for athletes is also being planned for the evening before race day.

The race committee now consists of the children of the long-time organisers. Alongside Dr. Tucker is her brother Kim Tucker and Trevor Cann.

“We are working to make the race bigger and better and we’d like to have 1,000 participants for the 100th race in a few years’ time,” said Dr. Tucker.

The introduction of the first-time runner prizes is expected to attract up to 100 extra competitors this time. And the prize draw event is a further incentive for people to take part. Dr. Tucker will also chose a deserving person to make a charity presentation to from the funds generated by the event.

Reflecting on the appeal of the Marathon Derby that is stronger now than ever before, she said: “It is part of the people of Bermuda. It is a beautiful day. People come out and celebrate each other regardless of race or ethnicity. It will endure, it always has. It is like a rite of passage and we want to make it the best it can be.”

The main sponsor for this year’s Marathon Derby is Appleby Hunter Bailhache. Entry forms will be available in April.

[bul] Time is of the essence for charities that would like to be considered as beneficiaries from this year’s Marathon Derby. The race committee has asked all registered charities to submit a proposal by March 27 stating why they wish to be considered as the first official Derby charity. The committee will consider the proposals, which should be no more than five pages long, and make a selection of five to be put into a draw to select the official Derby charity. Submissions can be emailed to Dr. Tucker at gtucker[AT]moed.bm or hand-delivered to Dr. Tucker at Victor Scott School.