Like many countries of the enchanting Caribbean archipelago, tourism is life for tiny Barbados.

The sector represents 17.5 per cent of gross domestic product, according to the country’s central bank. Its other vital economic drivers are international business sector and foreign direct investment.

Barbados’s survival clearly hinges on external forces; therefore, maintaining an appealing image from those looking in is as vital as the sun that covers it and oceans that caress its shorelines.

So the small country of about 280,000 people must imagine big when it comes to selling itself to the outside world, and the ‘Land of the Flying Fish’ has used every opportunity to sway tourists’ minds their way.

One irresistible lure for pleasure seekers and holiday makers is the annual Run Barbados weekend of marathons. This orgy of long-distance road running, which is celebrating 40 years on the trot, has become a source of pride for Barbados tourism as its organisational efficiency and marketing savvy have come in for repeated favourable reviews.

Though no official figures were readily available, Run Barbados appears to successfully pull foreigners in the hundreds, if not thousands, each year to either participate in the runs, or to simply support those who do the running.

And last weekend’s staging, which took place December 8-10, appeared to have lived up to its reputation as one of the oldest and biggest marathon series in this part of the world.

The event received high marks for those who came specifically for athletics glory, for fitness and health benefits, and those who just participated for the sake of it because it appeared a fun thing to do.

“I would rate Run Barbados very high because the organisation was good, and everything was on point.

“They have a lot of people from different countries here, and while they are here, they are seeing the attractions, staying in hotels, and everything they would have experienced they would have gone back and shared with their families, and that would let them want to come back and bring their families,” said Nicholas Romany, the Trinidadian who swept three major races on consecutive days.

Caymanian lawyer Esmond Brown, who got invited to participate in the runs as part of his prize of winning a half-marathon in his country the week prior, said the experience in the new Barbados republic has left an impression on him.

“It has been so good, as Barbados is so beautiful and the races are organised so well; we have been looked after really well, and the course was beautiful, but brutal. But it was a good weekend, good vibe and well supported,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“It’s nothing I have heard about prior to coming, but there are people from all over the world here, so clearly it is known about, and I can only see it getting bigger. I will definitely be coming back next year,” Brown added.

Dwayne Burns of Sheffield in the United Kingdom is in the Caribbean for the West Indies cricket series against England and ended up running the half-marathon by chance on Sunday. Still, it was an experience he will cherish despite falling way behind in the final standing.

“The experience on the island has been good except for the cricket result [as West Indies won the ODI series] and that wasn’t too good from an England point of view.

“But the overall experience has been fantastic, the island is beautiful, the people are wonderful, but the race itself was brutal because of the high humidity,” he noted.

Burns, a financial controller by trade, says while he gives organiser of the marathons — the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc — a passing grade, he still believes more could be done to spread the word.

“I think they have done a good job and it seems to be well organised from what I could see. Yes, I believe they would have done a good job in marketing the country as tourist spot, but I think they could have used it even more by putting it out there even more.

“I know there was information on social media over the last month or so, so I think next time they could put it out there sooner so people can be more aware and can book in advance,” he reasoned.

Meanwhile, Romany — star athlete of the weekend with wins in the PwC Fun Mile, the Casuarina 10K and Sand Dunes Half-Marathon — says his unprecedented treble was the highlight of a running career that started only seven years ago.

“I am overjoyed as I came here hoping to finish top three in each of the races I would run, and ended up coming first in all three and I am just happy with this accomplishment,” he shared with the Observer.

Romany, 29, says he hopes his success in Barbados would have stimulated support from the State and private interests in Trinidad.

“I only hope that they [authorities] see the talent and the potential I have and they will try and help me in some way. What I really want to do is run full time so I can take care of my family,” said Romany, who works as merchandiser with Venco in the twin-island republic.

He said he also wants to use his performance in Run Barbados as a launching pad into high competition and representation for his country.

“I want to make teams on the track as well because as you know road running is not everything, so I am looking possibly at Commonwealth and the CAC Games. Right now I just want to see how fast I can go and I have been working with my coach in trying to achieve that,” stated Romany.

Caymanian Brown, who developed a friendship with Romany over the course of the weekend, says the Trinidadian is an outstanding athlete and exemplary human being.

“He is a superstar…I got to know him on Thursday and I could see that he is a serious athlete, and I have been like his hype man as I knew he could do three from three. He is a good athlete, he clearly trains hard, and it was great fun getting to know him.

“He is definitely a good role model because he works hard, trains hard, he doesn’t drink, he eats well, he gets his rest, he is humble, and hopefully people in Trinidad will see him for what he is worth and kids will want to be like,” said a Brown, a lawyer specialising in private client and trust.

Meanwhile, Kenyan Alex Ekesa, who successfully defended his Farley Hill Marathon title for a third-successive year, says he was surprised by the challenges of this year’s course which started and ended at Barclay’s Park on the country’s Atlantic east coast.

The race route took runners on a winding course of idyllic vistas of rolling hills, rugged coastline and lush greenery, but in those postcard sceneries, the land showed her rough underside as well.

“I would say the course was a bit challenging because last year we didn’t have so many inclines and that was a surprise to us. But again I came here for serious business so I had to respond to whatever happened on the course,” said Ekesa.

The Kenyan, who is a fan favourite of Run Barbados supporters, vows he will be back next year to make it four from four.

“Of course, I will be back because obviously I have won, so I will be back to defend my title,” he said.