There will be a changing of the guard at the end of the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby on Friday as Gina Tucker is stepping down as president of the iconic race.

Tucker, who has served on the derby committee for 19 years, feels the time is right to relinquish the leadership role and “pass the baton” to Melissa Looby.

“I am very excited to pass the baton on to Melissa,” Tucker told The Royal Gazette.

“She has been working with the committee for a few years now, so we’ve been mentoring her and she is more than capable of carrying the derby forward.

“I have been preparing for succession for some time now, so it’s just the next natural step.

“I was thinking about succession planning and who can take it forward. I was looking at numerous people and last year she just said ‘Dr Tucker, I’ll do it’, and here we are. She will carry it forward until she is no longer willing to serve.”

Looby is looking forward to serving in the leadership role.

“It’s exciting and definitely some large shoes to fill when it comes to the legacy of Dr Tucker,” she said.

“I’m really just humbled that she sees it in me that I am the person that she would love to hand this over to, so I’m grateful.”

Looby does not take the race’s rich legacy and what it means to the community for granted.

“It’s definitely an honour and a privilege to carry something that is Bermuda’s and be responsible for ensuring that it continues as it has for 117 years,” she said.

Tucker cited the introduction of a second course starting from St George’s and team relay event, a return of the finish to its origins on Court Street and AIG coming on board as title sponsor among the highlights and proudest accomplishments of her tenure as president.

“It’s been a journey full of many things,” she said. “They’re all very special, every single one. I want to thank the community and everyone who has supported the event, whether sponsors, spectators, participants, volunteers and, of course, the committee. I just thank everybody from the bottom of my heart.”

Asked if she intended to still be involved in the race in some capacity moving forward, Tucker said: “That’s the plan.”

The race has undergone change yet again this year with the finish returning back to Dutton Avenue — just two years after making a much heralded return to Court Street.

The finish of the 2026 edition will now be slightly farther south on Dutton Avenue than previously, which means the Somerset start line will be moved slightly forward. The new starting point will be directly in front of MarketPlace in Somerset.

The new course has been measured and marked out by Bob Thurston, who is certified by World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Thurston was helped in the endeavour by derby committee members Kim Tucker, Roger Lee and Tori Richardson, and Stephen DeSilva, of Bermuda Timing Services.

The race committee said the decision had been made following a review and that Bernard Park was the venue of choice.

Tucker said this year’s 13.1-mile race could potentially boast a record field.

“It’s definitely a full plate and possibly a record turnout,” she said.

“It’s about 1,000 people participating, so we’re looking good and are probably beyond expectations.”

This year’s race is already shaping up to be a thrilling affair with Dennis Mbelenzi, a controversial “winner” of the race the last time the Dutton Avenue finish was in use in 2023, now resident in Bermuda and targeting a first legitimate victory in the contest.

The Kenyan-born runner will need to be at his best to hold off last year’s winner Sean Trott and the young Ryan Outerbridge, who finished runner-up in 2024 and 2025.

A new champion will be crowned in the women’s race, with three-times winner Gayle Lindsay having left Bermuda.

Further details on the race can be found on the race website.