THE Rev. Diana Francis is expected to be honoured on Saturday night when the Roadrunners Track Club hosts its 23rd annual Presentation and Awards Banquet at the Sandals Royal Bahamian hotel on West Bay Street.

Club president and head coach Dexter Bodie said Francis, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church, was selected based on her commitment and dedication to the club over the years. Bodie said they decided to honour pastor Francis because she has been instrumental in the development of their club from a spiritual standpoint.

She also served as his senior pastor at First Baptist, where he was a long-time member.

Under the theme “Chosen to Rise Up,” the event is also expected to attract a number of dignitaries, including Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, North American and Central American president Mike Sands, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer and former BAAA president Rosamunde Carey.

Athletes of the club will be recognised for their stellar performances on and off the track as well as in the classroom. As usual, an array of awards will be presented to the deserving student-athletes.

Among some of the athletes to be honoured for their achievements in the sport are Trent Ford, Tamia Taylor and A’Karee Roberts, all of whom made this year’s CARIFTA track team. Most outstanding athletes from the AAU Club Championships in Orlando, Florida, will also be awarded.

And for their scholastic achievements, athletes will be recognised for making the honour roll at their various schools and also for passing their BGCSE examinations.