Photo caption: Governor Jane Owen and Deputy Governor Hon, Franz Manderson at the launch reception for the 2024 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge held at Government House last month.

Plans for this year’s staging of the Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge are running at full stride, with event dates on Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands set for April. Proceeds from the events will benefit local charities Boyz 2 Men, National Council of Voluntary Organisations and the Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund.

This year’s designated beneficiaries joined last year’s sponsors, beneficiaries and representatives from the event Planning Committee at a thank you and launch reception hosted by Her Excellency Governor Jane Owen at Government House on Tuesday, 27 February. 

During the celebratory evening, the CI$82,500 raised from the 2023 event was distributed to the Cayman Islands Red Cross, LOUD Silent Voices, and the United Against Bullying Foundation. Each charity received a cheque for $27,500.

Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson lauded the work of the beneficiaries. He also stressed that the DG’s 5K would not be able to have the impact it has without its sponsors. In 2023, Appleby was the event’s platinum sponsor, while Butterfield, Davenport Development, the Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Cooperative Credit Union, Dart, and EY were gold sponsors. Since its inception in 2014, the DG’s 5K Challenge has raised and donated just over half a million dollars to the various event beneficiaries, providing $559,000 of support to many important community initiatives.

Mr Manderson expanded on the vision behind the DG’s 5K initiative, explaining that a major focus was on enhancing the community’s wellbeing. “The event is not just about raising funds to support the amazing charities we select for support,” he said. “It’s also about creating the opportunity for everyone to come together, public sector and private sector, of all ages and from all walks of life, to enjoy some fellowship, fresh air, and get some exercise while having a lot of fun.”

Sharing her thoughts after the reception, Governor Owen said she gives wholehearted endorsement to the DG’s 5K Challenge. She said, “One of my first activities after being sworn in as Governor last year, was to participate in the DG’s 5K. It was exhilarating to be out among so many walkers, joggers, runners, organisers and sponsors who, by joining forces, were able to do so much good for the community. It taught me a lot about the spirit of the Cayman Islands.”

Planning Committee Chair Jennifer Ahearn noted that the organising team, comprising civil servants and community volunteers, were dedicated to staging the Challenge each year. She stated, “I can’t thank the team enough for the enthusiasm and expertise they bring. Many of them have been doing this since the initiative started, and every year they find a way to make it better than ever before. I also thank the dozens of sponsors who give cash and in-kind to support this event.  Together we are making a difference in our community.”

Now an all-Islands affair, the dates and locations for this year’s DG’s 5K are:

Sunday April 14 – Cayman Brac

Sunday April 21 – Little Cayman

Sunday April 28 – Grand Cayman

Individuals and entities interested in supporting the event, can email [email protected], or, to volunteer to assist in any aspect of organising or race-day activities, email: [email protected].