Motorists are being advised to exercise caution this Sunday as the 2026 Cambridge Classic 5k and 10k races take over the roads of Sandys Parish.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has confirmed that the annual event will take place between 08:30 and 10:00 on Sunday, April 19th. While no formal road closures have been announced, a significant athletic presence is expected along the route, stretching from Cambridge Beaches through to the historic Royal Naval Dockyard.
Both the 5k and 10k events will start and finish at the Cambridge Beaches Resort. The 5k loop takes participants through Mangrove Bay and Malabar Road, including a technical section via Kitchener Road and Runway Lane.
The 10k contenders will face a more grueling test, traversing the length of Cockburn Road and Freeport Drive before reaching the turnaround point at the iconic Clocktower Parade in Dockyard. The return leg follows the same path, rejoining the 5k route to the finish line.
While the tarmac remains open to vehicles, the Ministry has emphasized that the safety of the runners is paramount.
Marshals: Race marshals will be stationed at key junctions to direct both athletes and motorists. Driver Conduct: Motorists are being urged to use extreme caution, reduce speed, and strictly follow the instructions of the marshals to avoid any potential collisions. Police Authority: The Bermuda Police Service remains authorized to "close off" specific streets or sections at the Commissioner's discretion should congestion or safety concerns arise.
The Ministry has apologized in advance for any delays and is encouraging the "full cooperation" of the motoring public during the ninety-minute window. Residents with specific queries regarding the race route or potential impact are encouraged to contact race representative Marla Smith at 295-0487.
With the 10k serving as a vital benchmark for the island's middle-distance specialists, the Somerset area is expected to be a hive of activity as the West End celebrates one of the staples of the spring athletic calendar.
Monday, April 13, 2026
Minors Helps Bristol West Reclaim National Crown
IslandStats.com
Dage Minors played a vital role in a dominant team performance as Bristol & West Athletics Club were crowned champions at the English Road Running Association National Road Relay Championships.
The prestigious 12-stage event, held at the historic Sutton Park in Birmingham, brought together the elite of British club distance running. On a day that showcased the depth of national talent across the men's 12-stage and women's 6-stage relays, it was the West Country outfit that proved untouchable, clocking a collective time of 3:16:49 to secure the title.
Minors, a seasoned middle-distance specialist, was entrusted with the fourth leg of the relay. Tasked with navigating the undulating 5.424-kilometre circuit, the Bermudian produced a gritty and tactical display. Clocking a time of 16:51 for his lap, Minors demonstrated the strength that has made him a mainstay on the international circuit.
When Minors crossed the line to hand over the baton, Bristol & West sat in eighth place. His effort proved to be a crucial platform for the second half of the race, as the team systematically picked off the lead pack to eventually surge into the gold medal position.
The victory marks a significant return to the top for the club, who have long been a force in the national road running scene. Following the race, Minors took to social media to celebrate the collective resilience of the twelve-man squad.
"Big effort from everyone today," Minors wrote. "Successfully defended the national 12-stage road relays."
The win reinforces Minors' impressive form as he continues his 2026 campaign. For Bristol & West, the triumph at Sutton Park serves as a resounding statement of intent ahead of the summer track season, as they once again cement their status as the premier distance running club in the country.
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Double Champions Crowned in RenaissanceRe Challenge
IslandStats.com
Dennis Mbelenzi and Maddie Durkin produced commanding performances on the roads of Bermuda to claim the titles at the prestigious RenaissanceRe 10 Mile Challenge.
In the Men’s Division, Mbelenzi proved to be in a league of his own, crossing the finish line in a blistering 53 minutes and 55 seconds. His pace left the rest of the field battling for the remaining podium spots, with perennial contender Sean Trott securing second place in a time of 56:16. Kallan Richardson rounded out the top three finishers, coming home just under a minute later to ensure a highly competitive lead pack.
The Women’s 10-mile race saw Maddie Durkin deliver an exceptional display of endurance, finishing 12th overall against the entire field. Her winning time of one hour, four minutes and 13 seconds gave her a comfortable cushion over Stepanka Sprincova, who claimed the runner-up spot with a time of one hour, six minutes and 54 seconds. Teresa Ruiz completed the women’s podium, maintaining a strong rhythm to finish 21st in the overall standings.
Parallel to the main event, the five-mile challenge provided plenty of drama as Chayce Smith dominated the Men’s sprint. Smith surged ahead to stop the clock at 28:54, finishing well clear of Tim Price who took second place in 31:24. Chefton Hall fought through the humidity to secure third place with a respectable time of 33:14.
In the Women's five-mile event, there was a familiar name at the top of the leaderboard as Colette Durkin mirrored the family success of the longer distance. She secured the title in 37:07, holding off a spirited challenge from Anna Laura Hocking who followed closely in 37:46. Holly Bruton ensured the podium was settled by taking third place with a time of 38:26.
The event once again highlighted the strength of Bermuda's road running community, with the Durkin family emerging as the standout story of the day by securing a unique double across both race distances. As the runners recovered at the finish line, the focus for many now turns to the upcoming summer season and the international fixtures on the horizon.
RenaissanceRe 5&10-Mile Races to Take Over South Road
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s running community is set to descend on the Botanical Gardens this Sunday as the annual RenaissanceRe 5-Mile and 10-Mile Challenge returns to the South Shore.
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has issued a formal notice to motorists to exercise caution, with hundreds of participants expected to take part in one of the most popular fixtures on the local road-running calendar.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, 12 April 2026, with the first wave of athletes hitting the pavement early:
7:30 am: Number pickup commences at the start line. 8:00 am: Early start for 10-mile participants (specifically for those expecting a pace over 12 minutes per mile). 8:30 am: Official 10-mile run start. 8:35 am: 5-mile run and competitive walk start.
The races are expected to conclude by 11:00 am.
Both races will utilize a "loop" format, starting and ending in the vicinity of Paget and Smith's:
The 10-Mile Route: Participants will start at the South Gate of the Botanical Gardens on South Road, heading East until a turnaround point just past the junction with Paynter’s Road. The 5-Mile Route: Runners and walkers will follow the same path East, turning around at the West Carpark entrance of Spittal Pond. The Finish: All participants will return via South Road to the finish line at the Lagoon Property, directly opposite the Botanical Gardens' South Gate.
While no road closures have been announced for the event, motorists are warned that significant traffic control measures will be in place. Race Marshals and Police Officers will be stationed along the route to prioritize athlete safety and manage the flow of vehicles.
Motorists are requested to follow all instructions given by officials and are urged to show consideration for the participants to avoid collisions or delays.
The Bermuda Police have also been authorized to "close off" specific streets or sections of the road should the Commissioner of Police deem it necessary for public safety during the peak of the race.
For any urgent questions regarding race day logistics or potential traffic impact, the public may contact race representatives Jenny Farrer at 532-2402 or Louise Edwards at 901-2335.
Saturday, April 04, 2026
Mbelenzi and Coetzee Reign Supreme at Ed Sherlock 8K
Pictures from Bermuda Timing
IslandStats.com
Dennis Mbelenzi and Estienne Coetzee produced dominant displays of distance running to be crowned the men’s and women’s champions at the annual Ed Sherlock 8K.
On a morning that tested both tactical discipline and raw endurance, Mbelenzi proved to be in a league of his own, while Coetzee showcased her elite pedigree to secure a comfortable victory in the women’s field.
From the starting gun, Dennis Mbelenzi established a punishing rhythm that left the chasing pack with no answer. Cruising across the line in a clinical 26:44, Mbelenzi secured the title with a massive margin of two minutes and twenty-three seconds.
The battle for the remaining podium spots was a much tighter affair. Shannon Lawrence demonstrated impressive grit to claim second place, stopping the clock in 29:07. He was followed shortly after by Peter Christopher, who rounded out the top three with a solid 29:50 performance.
The women’s race was defined by the relentless pace of Estienne Coetzee, who not only secured the female crown but also forced her way into the upper echelons of the overall standings.
Coetzee finished an incredible 11th overall with a time of 31:57, fending off a spirited challenge from Stepanka Sprincova. Sprincova crossed the line just 21 seconds later in 32:18 to take the silver medal position. The female podium was completed by Nina Coetzer, who finished 18th overall in 33:24.
The event, named in honour of the legendary Bermudian distance runner Ed Sherlock, continues to be a staple of the island’s road racing calendar. For Mbelenzi, the victory further cements his status as one of the region's premier road racers, while the depth of the women's field suggests a bright future for the local middle-distance scene.
As the season progresses, both champions will look to carry this "engine-room" form into the major upcoming spring meets, having set a high bar for excellence in the shadows of one of Bermuda’s most iconic sporting names.
