The May 24 Marathon Derby raised tens of thousands of dollars for good causes. Although many charities were still counting the exact amounts rolling in yesterday, news of some spectacular fundraising feats was beginning to emerge.

Each of the 650 people who signed up for the 13-mile run paid $10 that went directly to two charities, Focus Counselling Services and the medical fund of Kandice Young, a toddler suffering from a life threatening heart condition. With additional fundraising from Kandice’s family, the amount donated to her came to $6,000, with $7,000 going to Focus.

Dr. Gina Tucker, president of the Marathon Derby organising committee, said she was “very excited and pleased” at the total raised. Among the other charitable efforts two rugby teams, Teachers and Renegades, took part in the event to support a range of causes. Teachers fielded a 25-strong team, all of whom finished in an average time of two hours and 20 minutes. In the process, they raised around $26,000 for the Bermuda Autism Support and Education Society (BASE) which will go toward a therapy workshop for afflicted families, plus play equipment for autistic children.

The Teachers pitted themselves against rival rugby team the Renegades, claiming that they managed to beat them into second place.

“Our first finisher Harry Patchett finished in front of all the Renegades and our last runner, 59-year-old Mark Stephenson finished in front of their last finisher so I think the honours go to Teachers,” said Mr. Naylor.

Meanwhile the 15 members of the Renegades who participated in the race raised in the region of $10,000 for three causes, Bermuda’s Sunshine League and St. John’s Ambulance, and a South African residential home called Nazareth House where children, the elderly and AIDS sufferers are cared for. All of the runners completed the distance, and Will Thomas-Ferrand from the team said: “Astonishingly, it was almost enjoyable — very different from what I imagined. The crowds were fantastic and supported us the whole way around the course and kept us going. “You never know, next year we may even try to beat the time we set this year and raise more money too. We are absolutely delighted with the amount raised and very grateful to all those who sponsored us.”

Al Woods, 56, completed the course in three hours and 20 minutes, having pushed a lawn mower the entire length of the race. His stunt was staged to raise money towards the medical bill of Jason Minors, who was paralysed in a bike crash last summer.

Although Mr. Minors’ family was yet to find out exactly how much sponsorship cash had come in yesterday, Mr. Woods was jubilant at having finished despite being hampered by the mower.

“The run was out of this world. A head wind meant that the front wheels of the mowing machine were coming off the ground at one point on Harbour Road,” he said. Mr. Woods added that he doubted he would have finished without the encouragement of the crowd and his effort to keep his mind focused on Jason’s plight.

Bermuda’s top female boxer Teresa Perozzi also ran to help cover a medical bill — that of her ten-year-old step-brother Mihdi Brock.

Mihdi, who lives with his Bermudian father Marvin Brock in the USA, suffers from a rare curvature of the spine and requires extensive and ongoing medical care. Ms Perozzi said the monies raised have gone directly to the fund for Mihdi, and that while she does not know the full total, she personally raised $1,400.