(Photo by Dean Greenway)
Before Hurricane Irma came through Florida, it devastated the British Virgin Islands -- located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. Dean Greenway, webmaster for our BVI MileSplit affiliate, said track and field has taken two major hits because of Irma.
"Hurricane Irma destroyed our track and field and it also took the life of coach Dag Samuels, who also managed the AO Shirley Grounds," Greenway explained. "Dag wasn't just a coach. He was a great administrator as well who understood roles. He took initiative when things needed to be done. He was the first on the field setting up for track meets and the last to leave."
Samuels coached and managed the Fast Lane Track Club which made several trips to Central Florida for the Golden South Classic; it was one of the top track clubs in the Caribbean, producing multiple standout athletes including Kyron McMaster who recorded the fastest time in the world in 2017 in the 400m hurdles.
All of us at FloSports wanted to do something to give back, and why not help members of the running community that could use the assistance the most? That is why a portion of the proceeds from all t-shirt sales at the 2017 FLRunners.com Invitational will go back to the Fast Lane Track Club. 
Greenway noted that the funds will impact the future of the sport in the islands.
"[The loss of Dag Samuels] will leave Fast Lane in a challenging position as he sourced funding for his athletes to travel," Greenway added. "Any assistance will go towards furthering their development as there are several up-and-coming athletes in his camp."
T-shirts will be on sale at the meet for $15. They are blue with the words FLRunners.com Invitational and the Holloway Park logo and Asics logo prominently displayed. Sizes S - XXL.