TASVG hosts Wendell Hercules open championships this weekend

Team Athletics SVG will this weekend, May 4 and 5, stage its 2019 national championships at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field.

The championships which are set to commence at 9 a.m. on both days, are open to all nationals and non-nationals, who will compete in events in the following age groups: Under -17, Under 20, 20+ and an open category.

The championships, though, will be named after former Vincentian distance runner Wendell Hercules.

In his hey-day at the St Vincent Grammar School, Hercules acquired the nick name “Steel Donkey”, in reference to his exceptional stride and stamina exhibited.

The late Hercules’ pet events were the 880 yards and the one mile.

Hercules, as a national athlete, represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at various regional track meets.

After migrating to the USA where he received a full track scholarship at the University of Idaho, he gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.

Hercules continued his love for the track, participating in several charity, as well as competitive runs in his adopted home.

Among some of Hercules’ mark was the initiation of the “Running with the Angels 5K & 10K race, a fund-raising charity event for St. Peter’s Church in Rochester, New York.

After Hercules died in February, 2017, succumbing to stomach cancer, the race was renamed in his honour and a scholarship fund was created for high school seniors going on to post-secondary studies.