By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

VALENTINE’S Day is officially here and lovers, companions and friends got an early opportunity to celebrate with one another over the weekend at the second edition of the City of Hope Running in Love presented by Four Seasons Race Management.

The lovers-themed fun, run, walk and push event brought out scores of participants vying for a chance to cross the finish line first with their better half at Arawak Cay.

Suzy Eneas and Cameron Roach were the first duo to cross the line on Saturday. Eneas and Roach are together and were really impressed with the overall event for the second straight year as participants.

“It is always fun. We do a lot of sporting events together and we always have a good time. It is always a fun event and we had a good time doing it together. It is unique because couples have to finish together so we worked out together and were racing together,” Roach said.

For Eneas, she said the duo had such a great time last year and it was only right that they came back to join the Running in Love event once again.

“It’s always an expertly organised event with Four Seasons Race Management. Marcel and Theresa do a great job. We took part last year and we really had a great time so we came back this year and today has been wonderful,” she said.

The duo is planning to join another fun run/walk event next month and were happy to support a worthy cause that helps fellow Bahamians in the community.

A part of the proceeds from the event went to Dr Nevillene Evans and her husband Leon Evans who have both survived cancer.

The married couple were in attendance on Saturday and were all smiles after completing their 3.1-mile route together.

Dr Evans thoroughly enjoyed the support from her comrades and the atmosphere on Saturday morning. “It was wonderful. To think that we completed it together along with some very dear friends was really a wonderful and great feeling. It was a time to renew and rekindle friendships and the support from friends was really overwhelming. I have to say thank you to all of them who showed up this morning,” she said.

Mr Evans was equally as grateful for the experience alongside his wife. “It was excellent. We really had fun this morning and enjoyed the walk and we talked with each other. We have to do this again. It was a really beautiful time,” he said.

Winning the couples award were Kyle and Parris Williams.

All competitors were gifted Running in Love 2 paraphernalia along with a rose to complement the Valentine’s Day theme.

Valarina and Utah Taylor were overjoyed after crossing the finish line with each other.

Mrs Taylor described the experience as awesome and felt that they both achieved something. It was their first time at an event of this magnitude and for Mr Taylor, moral support and a little bit of nature was all they needed to complete the race. “It was wonderful. This is the first time we ever did something like this so we were a little bit anxious but I kept set- ting goals. Whenever she started to lag behind I had to tell her to breathe, pick up your step and I literally had to hold her hand. We know that there is energy in trees so we were touch- ing trees along the way and we were able to beat a lot of people so we are happy and excited,” he said.

He added that due to their time in healthcare and his current duties as a senior pastor at the New Oasis of Love Kingdom Ministries, it was important to support the cause.

“It feels wonderful especially because my wife is a nurse and I had 13 years in healthcare as well so we know the importance of helping people who are in need and we know that there are many that could use the help,” Mr Taylor said.

City of Hope was the title sponsor for the second straight year.

Next up on the Four Seasons Race Management calendar will be the Bikini Top/Bareback Beach Run at Goodman’s Bay set for June 15.