Courtesy of: Aruba Daily
The Radisson GM’s Challenge Male and Female Relay Race took place over the weekend and pitched 16 male teams and 8 female teams, from among the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa associates, against each other and against the elements of Aruba’s north-western coast.
First place male winners John Villar & Ranzinho Tromp, and first place female winners Audrey Wolff & Sofia Boekhoudt joined all participants to receive their trophies and gifts against a majestic landscape, at sunset.
The event program meticulously compiled and executed by the Executive Assitant Manager Lourdes Geerman included the singing of the GM Challenge theme song by Rebecca Santos Do Nacimento, and the performance of Old Brass Selection, a live steel band. IBISA, the island’s sport authority helped launch the competition and register results with individually worn timing chips. The race got on the way with blessings from resort’s General Manager Mark Frances, an avid runner himself, and the motor behind the initiative.
The first male team finished the challenging course in 32.32.558 minutes while the first female team concluded their run in 22:48.857 minutes.
The challenge format in which each male participant runs 4K in a team-of-two relay, and each female participant runs 2K in a team-of-two relay matched associates with different levels of condition and created and opportunity for true collaboration and mutual support.
At the end of the race the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa family members and friends joined the runners in watching the Netherlands Vs Costa Rica FIFA World Cup 2014 game, under a tent, on a giant plasma screen, over refreshments and snacks.
The much-enjoyed afternoon culminated with fireworks over the ruins with General Manager Mark Frances promising a repeated event in a few months, in a different but equally rewarding set up.
Among top male finalists Manuel Reyes and Orvin Croes, in second place, and Sandrick Tromp and Steve Lacle, in third. Among top women finalists Brigitte Hernandez and Marilu Erasmus, in second place, and Norma Lacle and Elizabeth Cordoba, in third.
Mark Frances also thanked the GM Challenge Committee members, Margarita, Marina, Melissa, Mina, Marvinia and Lourdes for their incredible dedication and hard work.
