UK and local athletes tackle Saint Lucia’s Streets, Forest, and Sea to Support Paediatric Healthcare

It was an exciting start on Friday, October 17 for over 30 local and international athletes who are taking the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance in the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge.

Beginning with a 10Km run from Sandals Halcyon Resort in Castries to Sandals Grande Resort in Pigeon Island Gros Islet, the athletes adorned the streets with police escort in tow pushing through the sun’s intense rays and smelting heat.

The team then journeyed via kayaks back to Sandals Halcyon, with the breathtaking landscape and St. Lucia’s mountains and coastline making the perfect backdrop.

On Saturday, the course took participants through the rainforest, taking on a 3-and a half hour cross country hike beginning at Micoud to Fond St. Jacque, Soufriere with lead local guide Adam Toussaint. And on Sunday, they faced a half marathon run from Pigeon Island to Sandals La Toc.

The event, the first of its kind on the island and third installment in the Caribbean by the philanthropic organization is designed to raise £100,000 to purchase lifesaving equipment such as a neonatal ventilator or life support machine, a nesting system, infant warmer, incubator, infusion pump, jaundice meter and infant blankets for the Special Care Baby Unit at the Millenium Heights Medical Complex.

On Monday the group will brave the hike up the volcanic Gros Piton, bringing a close to the historic event.