Haines is ready, set and almost GO for next marathon
Cayman Islands veteran marathon man, Derek Haines, is ready, set and will GO on Sunday, July 27th to compete in the 37th San Francisco Marathon along with the expected 25,000 other competitors, a record for the annual event.
This will be Haines’ fourth of his goal of competing in six marathons in his bid to raise $1M for a new building in Camana Bay for Cayman HospiceCare.
He has so far raised $604,000.
Coincidentally this will be his 37th marathon when he competes in San Francisco’s 37th marathon.
Haines has to date completed 26.2 mile after his runs in Paris, France, London, England, and Pamplona, Spain.
To keep Haines company in his run Cayman Islands Rotary President Brian Hurley will run the first half marathon with him and Rotarian Tim Bradley will run the second half.
To promote local interest, also on Sunday, there will be a 6K race that will start at 7 a.m. to coincide with the start in San Francisco although that one commences at 5 a.m.
The start and finish of the local race will be close to the Digicel store in Camana Bay and the communications company will also supply refreshments to participants.
The course will loop round the Cayman International School and part of Britannia Golf Course. Entry is $20 with proceeds going to the Hospice Challenge.
The Dublin Marathon on Oct. 27th will be Haines’ fifth event, and Cayman will be the final one on Dec. 7th.
Haines has asked that the support he has so far had will keep on coming.
And support is still coming with the announcement that CIREBA, the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association is pledging $100,000 over the next two years for the cause.
“Derek is halfway through his marathons, but with the support of CIREBA’s professional agents and brokers, he is now nearly two-thirds of the way toward his goal of raising $1 million for Cayman Hospice Care,” said CIREBA President Michael Day of Regal Realty. “Derek inspired us to bring CIREBA to the partner level of donations and give $100,000 over the course of the next two years. As leaders in Cayman’s real estate industry, we wanted to recognize someone else who is seen as true local leader, committed to his community.”
More than 175 CIREBA agents and brokers will then be able to use the Cayman Hospice Care logo and label themselves as a “Supporter of Hospice.” With CIREBA members handling 85 percent of Cayman’s real estate sales, promotional material with a “Supporter of Hospice” logo will be seen by thousands of potential buyers and sellers who may also be motivated to donate to Derek’s campaign.
“We want to help a cause that truly benefits all of Cayman potentially,” said Day. “Cayman Hospice Care is available free to patients facing a terminal illness. And they also provide counseling for patients’ families at a time of great stress. It is a fantastic organization and we’re proud that every CIREBA agent and broker is associated with Derek, a real hero in the eyes of Caymanians and someone whose efforts are being recognized around the world.”
Anyone who wants to donate to the six marathon challenge can drop off a cheque to Cayman Hospice Care at any Royal Bank of Canada location or to the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman at Cayman Hospice Care, 492 North Sound Road. Online donations can be made at the dedicated website: www.six4hospice.com
IMAGE: Derek Haines with his daughter Lizzie.
