Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 210

Sea to Scenery Race Saba’s Peter Johnson and the Triathlon Foundation are the organizers of the exciting annual Sea to Scenery Race which takes place on the Sunday of Saba Day Weekend in December. Each year, participants gather to challenge a terrain that can easily move a grown man to tears. Starting at Cove Bay by the sea, participants race uphill 1000m to Mt. Scenery, Saba’s highest mountain. The entire race spans about 6K in length covering both road and trail. As it is constantly uphill and very intense, some consider it to be more of a speed walk than a race, as Peter said, “I also get to participate, and it is tough! We always try to run as much as possible, but eventually you just gotta walk it!” The race takes you up Hell’s Gate through to Windwardside, and up the Mt Scenery trail to the top. giving a boost to the island’s nature tourism. The park covers 26% of Saba and is a bio-diverse national treasure. The current record was set in 2017 with a completion time The Race is open to of 52 minutes. everyone. Registration is free and there will be prizes Previously, for this Saba Day for the winners. run, participants ran from the airport to the harbour, For more information about going downhill running on this event, visit the Saba cement ground, which was Triathlon’s Facebook page: not friendly to the knees. Saba Triathlon, or email When Peter got involved, [email protected] he thought it would be best to have the race go straight uphill, which made it less gruelling on the knees, resulting in a bit more participation. Ending at the Mt. Scenery National Park is certainly the highlight of the race. Mt. Scenery was granted National Park status this September, Saba Day is recognized the first Friday in December. It is the island’s National Day.