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Non-residents banned from running at Bermuda Half Marathon

Non-residents banned from running at Bermuda Half Marathon

Canada’s Dennis Mbelenzi has been denied a chance to defend his title at the 8th edition of the Bermuda Half Marathon slated for May 24th, 2024 in Main Street, Somerset, Bermuda.

The 41-year-old won last year’s edition but as a non-resident he was not recognised as the official race winner or paid the prize money, which was instead given to Bermudian Lamont Marshall who finished behind him.

The controversy prompted a furious debate and race organisers have confirmed on their website that this year’s race is no longer open to non-residents, stating: “The final decision by the committee is that you have to be a Bermudian or a resident for at least six months to be eligible to run the race.”

That decision has left Mbelenzi, who lived on the island from 2007 to 2019 before moving to Canada, bemused and saddened.

Early this year Belenzi who is a former resident of Bermuda, defended his PwC Bermuda Marathon title despite challenging conditions in a time of 2:42.44.

Author

  • John Vaselyne is the founder of Athletics News. Africa’s only Independent Athletics News website. He has covered World U18 and U20 Championships, World Cross Country Championships, Four Continental Tour Gold Series, Wanda Diamond League. He has passion for the Sport and has over seven years experience in this area of sport. He is also the Leading Athletics Pundit in the Country, having been hosted in ALL leading TV stations in Kenya

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