The episode began last Independence Day when Holder decided to enter the Independence Day Race walk event organized by the Cavalier Sports and Tour Club (CSTC) from the Methodist Church in Land of Canaan to the Soesdyke Methodist Church. He did not only complete the arduous journey but was the first veteran to cross the finish line of the 6.2 miles, leaving younger competitors in his wake.

The septuagenarian had also promised to complete yesterday’s race in 30 minutes or less He did not stop there and had challenged any pensioner his age to attempt to beat him. Amidst all the promises made by his detractors to turn up for the race, only Holder appeared at the starting line yesterday. It meant that the race that was supposed to have been contested with his fellow villagers ended up being a race against the clock.

With a determined disposition and a glint in his eyes, Holder commenced the journey and tore through Leonora, Edinburgh, Anna Catherina, Cornelia Ida, Hague, Fellowship, and culminated his journey at the Den Amstel Clay Brick Road.

Throughout the journey, several villagers kept him company with one allocated the responsibility of monitoring the time. The official time was 26 minutes and 16 seconds. This represented a record since Holder is contending that it has never been done before. He has thrown out a challenge to any other pensioner to equalize or break the timings.

Shortly after completing the journey Holder told this reporter that he had planned a strategic approach to the journey. He admitted that it had proven to be more grueling than he had initially thought. However, the thought of having to spend the rest of the day on ‘shame bench’ in the blazing sun was enough to strengthen his resolve. “My only opposition was the rain and the mileage,” he confided upon completion of the journey.

He plans to participate in an Emancipation event from Den Amstel to Uitvlugt. It’s a 6 1/2 miles journey and Holder plans to complete it in 55 minutes or less. “It’s all in the mind,” he confides.

Shortly after the historic journey yesterday morning, some of the persons that had challenged Holder to the race crawled out from their respective holes and were promptly upbraided by the septuagenarian. Then out of jest Holder walked over to the ‘shame bench’ and took a seat while boasting, “I will never have to endure this embarrassment,” he said while punching his hand into the air. (Michael Benjamin)