Brislane Helps Tonbridge Claim National Cross Country Glory
Jake Brislane (3691)
IslandStats.com
Jake Brislane and his Tonbridge Athletic Club teammates produced a tactical masterclass to secure the English National Cross Country Championships in Sedgefield, County Durham. Competing against a formidable field representing sixty-eight different clubs, Tonbridge overcame the odds to lift the title in a race defined by endurance and grit.
Defending champions Bristol and West AC entered the competition as overwhelming favourites, boasting five of their six scorers from the previous year’s dominant victory. The early stages of the twelve-kilometre race seemed to confirm the pre-race predictions. After the opening lap of three, Bristol appeared to be coasting toward a successful title defence, holding a commanding lead of one hundred and thirty points compared to the one hundred and ninety held by Tonbridge.
The momentum shifted dramatically as the runners entered the second lap. James Kingston spearheaded the Tonbridge resurgence, locked in a fierce battle for the individual lead with Derby’s Hugo Milner. Behind them, Tee Higgins produced a phenomenal performance just one week after claiming a bronze medal over three thousand metres at the UK Indoor Championships. Higgins displayed exceptional stamina to climb from twelfth place after the first lap to finish fifth overall in a time of thirty-eight minutes and thirty-four seconds.
The victory was built on a foundation of perfectly paced performances across the scoring six. Alex Howard secured sixteenth place in thirty-nine minutes and twenty-five seconds, followed closely by Jamie Macdonald in thirtieth with a time of thirty-nine minutes and fifty-four seconds. Jake Brislane played a pivotal role in the final tally, finishing thirty-third in forty minutes and four seconds, while Ben Cole rounded out the scoring in thirty-eighth at forty minutes and eleven seconds.
This collective effort saw Tonbridge amass one hundred and twenty-four points, comfortably eclipsing Bristol’s final total of one hundred and fifty-nine. The result marks a significant achievement for the club, who led a top five that was completed by a strong northern contingent including Salford, Leeds, and Newark.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Roach ‘Battle Ready’ for American debut in North Carolina
IslandStats.com
Bermudian welterweight Adrian Roach has declared himself "war ready" as he prepares to make his professional debut in the United States next month.
The 23-year-old, known as "AR-15," will step into the ring in North Carolina on March 21 for his third professional bout. Roach heads into the contest with a flawless 2–0 record, having secured victories in his opening two fights since turning professional last June. His last outing saw him travel to Mexicali, Mexico, where he overcame Víctor Emanuel López in a disciplined four-round performance.
Roach has described this current training camp as the most intense of his career to date. "I think this is the hardest I’ve ever really trained for a camp," Roach said to islandstats.com. "Everything is moving really well. I’m well motivated, and I really want to get this win."
His opponent, whose name was finalized only yesterday, is a seasoned campaigner known for upsetting undefeated prospects. Roach, however, remains unfazed by the step up in competition. "This opponent is good; he’s known for upsetting undefeated fighters or giving them a real good fight," Roach noted. "But we’re taking challenges early in our career because we believe in our skill set as a team."
Roach is also calling on the Bermudian community for support, both in the stands and through potential partnerships. For those in North Carolina or nearby Charlotte, he encouraged fans to make the trip: "If any Bermudians are out in North Carolina, come through... it’s a direct flight from Bermuda." He also extended an invitation to Bermudian-owned businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities as he continues to represent the island on the global stage.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Haldeman & Reid-Rubaine Shine in Skyport Magic Mile
IslandStats.com
The Skyport Magic Mile did not disappoint as Bermuda's youngest running talents took to the track at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium within the National Sports Center. In a day filled with high-energy performances and close finishes, the island's future middle-distance stars demonstrated remarkable pace across the various age categories.
The 12-15 Boys and Girls division saw a dominant display from Spencer Haldeman, who surged ahead to claim victory with a clinical time of 5:15.70. He was followed by George Morris and Lucas Ferreira, who battled for the remaining podium spots to finish in 5:39.70 and 5:40.83 respectively. In the same race, Evelyn Fahy delivered a standout performance to finish as the first female and fourth overall with a time of 5:41.20, while Riana Robinson and Harper Franklin secured the second and third female positions.
The competition remained fierce in the 10-11 Year Old Boys race, where Khaleef Daley pulled away to take the top spot in 5:40.35. Liam Horrobin pushed hard to secure second place just three seconds behind, with Heath Kemp rounding out the top three in 5:52.10. In the girls' equivalent, Zaya Cann-Berkley proved too strong for the field, clocking 6:13.54 to win ahead of Yara Muhammad and Emma Watson.
One of the most impressive displays of the day came in the 8-9 Year Old Girls division, where the pace was exceptionally high. Giselle Reid-Rubaine crossed the line first in a blistering 4:55.22, narrowly fending off Diamond Morris who finished in 4:58.94. Vivienne Fox completed the podium in a tightly contested finish, touching the tape in 4:59.54 to bring a thrilling day of junior athletics to a close.
The mid-February road racing season returned after some high winds and rain postponed a previous race, as Dennis Mbelenzi and Estienne Coetzee were crowned the 2026 Ludwig Cann 10K male and female champions.
On a course known for its demanding undulations, both athletes delivered clinical performances to secure their respective titles in convincing fashion.
Mbelenzi was the class of the field in the men's race, asserting his dominance early on. He crossed the finish line in a swift 33:59, maintaining a gap that his closest rivals struggled to bridge. Kallan Richardson produced a battling display to take the runner-up spot, clocking 34:36, while Philip Woollins completed the podium with a solid time of 36:51.
The women’s race was a testament to depth and endurance, with Estienne Coetzee leading the way. Coetzee’s tactical race saw her finish as the 11th runner overall, stopping the clock in an impressive 39:33. The fight for the remaining podium places was a closely contested affair; Teresa Ruiz secured second place (14th overall) in 40:08, finishing just twenty seconds clear of Stepanka Sprincova, who rounded out the top three with a time of 40:28.
The victory for Mbelenzi marks another successful outing in what has been a prolific start to the 2026 calendar, while Coetzee's performance reinforces her status as one of the island's most consistent distance runners. As the local running community looks ahead to the spring schedule, the results at the Ludwig Cann 10K set a high bar for the competitive months to come.
BNAA Launch ‘Kids’ Athletics Fun Festival’ to Get Island Moving
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) has announced the launch of the Kids' Athletics Fun Festival, a new initiative aimed at encouraging physical activity and grassroots development among the island's youth.
The event is set to take place on Saturday, February 28th, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Whitney Institute Middle School. Designed to be inclusive of all abilities and experience levels, the festival focuses on a simple but vital goal: getting children active while building confidence in a high-energy, fun-filled environment.
In a world increasingly dominated by screens, the BNAA is placing a renewed emphasis on the importance of movement. This action-packed session is specifically designed to keep children engaged while developing what the association calls "FUNdamental movement skills"—the building blocks that form the foundation for all sporting disciplines.
The programme moves away from rigid competition, instead focusing on the joy of participation. By introducing these skills early, the BNAA hopes to foster a lifelong love for sport and health among the next generation of Bermudian athletes.
The two-hour session will see children rotate through a variety of exciting, circuit-based activities tailored to challenge and entertain. Participants can expect a diverse range of tasks, including:
Obstacle Courses: Running over and under hurdles to improve agility. Power Jumps: Developing explosive strength and coordination. Distance Throwing: Building upper body mechanics and accuracy. Team Relays: Fostering cooperation through mixed obstacle races with friends.
Every activity within the festival has been curated to ensure that children not only build physical skills but also experience a boost in self-esteem. By focusing on "smiles as wide as the track," the BNAA aims to create a welcoming entry point for those who may not yet be involved in organised sports.
With the Whitney Institute Middle School providing the backdrop for this community-led event, the association is calling on parents to bring their children along for an afternoon of movement that celebrates the pure fun of athletics.
