Games goal for Estwanik

Top local runner Chris Estwanik is still hoping to represent Bermuda in the Commonwealth Games — but concedes it will have to be at the 2018 event on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The former professional Nike athlete hails from the US but has been married to Ashley Estwanik — also a top local runner — for eight years. That’s two years shy of making him eligible for this year’s Commonwealths in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 33-year-old former 1,500 runner has now embraced the marathon — and beat the island’s record for that distance at last year’s Boston Marathon, which was marred so tragically by the bombing attacks that killed three people and injured hundreds.

The marathon would be the event Estwanik, who finished third in the HSBC Half-Marathon on Sunday, would go for if he is still in ‘good shape’ in four years’ time.

Estwanik, 33, told the Bermuda Sun: “I would love to be able to do it but the way it works, although I’ve been married to Ash now for the past eight years, after 10 years will be the first time I will be eligible — and the US obviously don’t compete in the Commonwealths.

“I have it in the back of my mind in the next couple of years and if Bermuda would have me I would love to represent Bermuda with my status.

“I’ll be 38 [by the time of the Games] but if the body keeps holding up the way it is then you never know. It would be a great thing but in the interim I’d love to help some of the other athletes qualify that are here locally.

“Lamont Marshall is gunning for it, for example, so if I can help their training as well.” He added: “The marathon would be my race — and I never thought I’d say that being a 1,500m guy. 

“Mentally it’s very taxing but it’s a great race and you meet so many great people doing this. Kudos to all the people that put this [Bermuda Marathon Weekend] on because it’s a great race.” n