Wayne Scott, a three-times winner of the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race made a return to the event in the first time for more than a decade on Friday.

Scott, a former MP and minister of education, last won the race in 2010 but took advantage of his return to Bermuda to compete. Although his advance in years prevented him from being a force at the front, he was pleased to be back in the saddle

“I won it 15 years ago and last time I did it was 14 years ago,” Scott said.

“After running companies, being in parliament, putting on 50lb and getting back in shape, I’m just happy to be here.

“I recently lost my mother and so I brought her remains back. She was away with me and couldn’t travel so I haven’t been here as much. but being here for a month, I thought ‘I’m back in Bermuda so I just have to do it.’”

“It felt different because I’m old and the winners are my children’s age. Back when I was winning I could look around a bit more and take in the crowd but now I have to focus on keeping the wheels.”

Scott is in Bermuda for just the next few weeks and was pleased with the support he received from the community during the ride.

“I got a whole lot of ‘Scotty’ but I just didn’t get the chance to look up and see who it was,” he said.

“I’ll come back later and walk through the crowds because that is the time I will get to see Bermuda.”

Scott knows how important Bermuda Day is to the island and is pleased that he will get the chance to experience the occasion once more.

“I’ve been here for two weeks and I’ve seen the stickers on the sidewalk,” Scott said. People take this serious so I’m looking forward to hanging out during the parade and taking in all of Bermuda.

“Life’s challenging these days for various reasons. I recently had some friends visit the island on a cruise ship and they were astounded by how nice people were and that is the essence of what Bermuda is about.

“We tend to lose sight of that every once in a while and Bermuda Day is a day that brings everybody together and it’s so great to see all of Bermuda out together and having fun.”