Cycling trophies donated in memory of Arnold

The memory of Belizean cyclist Dwayne Arnold is being kept alive…thanks to three trophies donated to the Cycling Association in his name for the Holy Saturday Cross Country Classic. In February, Arnold was fatally shot, while working in his store on Cemetery Road. Euan Gillett, a friend of Arnold’s, is spearheading the initiative.

Euan Gillett, Arnold’s Friend

“The idea came across my mind, and I spoke to close friends who had known Dwayne and some of the neighbours, who immediately embraced the idea. So we went ahead and got the trophies. They decided to chip in with a little funds to get the trophies. And after that I spoke with Mr. Swift at the Cycling Association and explained the situation of what we intend to do. They saw it fit and also looked at it from the same aspect that we were doing, as a nice gesture.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“Is this going to be an annual event or is it just a one-time thing?”

Euan Gillett

“Well most definitely we hope to make it an annual event, because it not only signifies his death, but it’s something you’d want to carry on for a long period of time, seeing that he was an active cyclist.”

The senior trophy, which stands five feet tall, goes to the new cross-country champ, while the others go to the first junior and female cyclist respectively. In other news, the first Junior Cross Country Classic takes place on Palm Sunday from Santa Elena in Cayo to the Marion Jones stadium in Belize City. The event, run especially for junior riders and novices ages fifteen to thirty, starts at 9:00 a.m. and should reach the city sometime after midday.