‘We have a big responsibility to deliver on our promise’
We’re all very fond of the Caribbean and its people. We also all know friends or family members who have been affected by cancer or other serious illnesses.
I’ve been regularly running 20 miles on weekends and managing to keep free of dreaded injuries so far. I only started running during the early days of the pandemic, from 5km runs to competing in half-marathons. I needed a release valve from the stresses and challenges [of the pandemic] - running helped keep my mental health in check.
Sandals Resorts is a Caribbean, family-owned company and the local communities are at the centre of everything we do, so it’s only right we continue to give back to them. I am lucky enough to have travelled to Antigua several times in my 16-year career with Sandals. It’s a beautiful island with amazing people that I have a real soft spot for. One of my fondest memories was when, several years ago, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart summoned me to an impromptu meeting with him in the ocean. When the security guard knocked on my door to collect me, I thought it was a joke!
We really don’t want to let anyone down. After the amazing support and generous donations we’ve had, we have a big responsibility to deliver on what we’ve promised. The camaraderie of the team with one single goal to make a difference for sick kids should be fantastic. And what better place to do it than in the beautiful island of Antigua?
This idea has been a long time in the making but the end is in sight. I am quite nervous now though…it’s all becoming real!
Karl Thompson, managing director.
‘In Antigua we will run as a team for a noble cause, not a competition’
The Caribbean is part of our company’s DNA and it is important for us to make sure we support the locals, and that they benefit from our work. This charity project is a great opportunity to make our contribution to the great work being done by The Sandals Foundation.
Nowadays running is about competing with other runners, but for me, running is not about being the fastest. In Antigua we are going to run as a team for a noble cause. It will be a human experience and not a competition. I am also happy to share this with international colleagues - it is an opportunity which is going to leave a mark on our lives forever.
This amazing project in Antigua is another step in the running season. However, running with the heat and humidity of the Caribbean is an exercise I can’t really reproduce in Europe and it will be very important to manage that during the Island Run.
I have been running for almost 10 years. I started with a 10k in Paris and then did more long distance running, between road and trail races. I also did an ultra-marathon - the maximum was a 34-hour race in Reunion Island.
As a father, I am sensitive to problems and diseases that children may face in the first years of their lives. It is really important for me to do my best to raise money which is going to help fund medical equipment and resources to help treat sick children in the Caribbean. I also want to run in memory of our executive chairman’s wife, who recently passed away after fighting cancer. I will be thinking of her from the first to the last kilometre of this challenge.
The closer we get, the more motivated I am to run for the cause. My excitement increases every day!
Valentin Noe, sales manager Western Europe.
'We want to lend a helping hand to smaller organisations'
We wanted to set ourselves a physical challenge and for it to take place in one of the islands Sandals Resorts operates in. We have a resort in Antigua which is very popular with British guests, and I know a lot of the staff there quite well. One of my favourite memories of Antigua is going to Shirley Heights for the Sunday night party. It’s a must if you’re on the island.
We all really want to do something to make a difference and improve the lives of sick children in Antigua and it felt right to support the Sandals Foundation and its beneficiaries. We want to raise money for smaller Caribbean organisations that need a helping hand to continue the incredible work they do.
Motivation is coming from the consistent training, the support we’re giving each other and the focus on the fundraising. But I’m also looking forward to the cold beer at the end of day four!
Adam Stewart (Sandals Resorts executive chairman) sadly lost his wife to cancer recently which has given the run an additional meaning. We’re partly doing this in Jill’s honour as she was a keen runner and would have loved to take part in this challenge herself.
Running is a good way of switching off and resetting the mind. If I am overseas, then I find it’s a great way to explore the destination. A few years ago, I did the 5km Race for Life and it went from there. Before I knew it, I had signed up for all sorts! I have a fair bit of running experience, including nine half marathons and a fair few 10k races. And training is going well; I am following my plan well and running two or three long distance runs in consecutive days.
Graeme Saunders, senior manager, Groups & MICE.
‘The Island Run will by far be my biggest challenge to date’
The Island Run is important to me for two reasons. It’s a unique opportunity to really challenge myself, but more importantly, as a team the money we raise will go towards treatment for so many sick children in the Caribbean.
That is such an incredibly motivating factor and I’m proud that I get to do my bit for this amazing cause.
Running really helps me clear my mind. It’s been a great tool for me to look after my mental health and deal with stress. I started running in 2020 with the ‘Couch to 5k’ app, and have since ran a few half-marathons, but the Island Run will by far be my biggest challenge to date.
But my training is going well. I am following a tailored plan and slowly building up my long distance running whilst also focusing on improving my strength and recovery.
There are a few things I’m really looking forward to. I’m excited to see so much of Antigua during the run - I’m sure there are going to be some awesome spots along the route. I’m also looking forward to the camaraderie between the team during the run as we will all need to support each other to get through it.
This is going to be a mammoth task, but I am up for the challenge.
Bradley Mills, design manager.
If you would like to donate to the team ahead of the Sandals Island Run next week, visit the JustGiving page where you can also find out more about the challenge and the charities it is raising funds for.
