The 2023 Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon will take place this weekend on Sunday, 3 December, starting at 5am on the waterfront. Organisers are encouraging the public to support this event which raises funds for the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and the Cancer Society as well as other organisations such as Jasmine, Crisis Centre, CCMI, Alex Panton Foundation, YMCA and Red Cross. 

At the time of writing, organisers confirm 65 full marathoners, 865 half marathon entrants and 86 teams entered for the relay. About 100 persons are expected to sign up the day before the race. Organisers will also be welcoming some 350 visitors to the island between race participants and their families and supporters. 

Late registration for new sign-ups and packet pick up for registered participants will take place at the Westin Resort (Galleon Ballroom) on Saturday, 2 December between 9am and 5pm. This is an opportunity for participants to ask the Race Directors any questions they may have about race day. Representatives from CCMI, the Addison Kelly Butterfly 5K and sponsors Health City and Sotheby’s Realty will have display tables at the event and sports apparel supplier Sportista will be selling merchandise. 

The Kids Fun Run, sponsored by MILO and the Ministry of Youth & Sports, will start at 10:30am at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue and end at Hard Rock Cafe. This event is free for students between the ages of 5 and 11 years old and 250 kids are registered at the time of writing.

The level of corporate support for the event continues to grow each year as companies and organisations such as Health Services Authority, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Ogier, Ernst & Young, Health City Cayman Islands, Maples and the civil service pay for their staff to participate. 

The top three male and female marathoners and half marathoners in the 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over age categories will be awarded for their achievements.  The top three teams in the corporate, all-male, all-female and mixed relay competitions will receive awards sponsored by CUC.  

The top male and female full marathon winners will receive Tag Heuer timepieces courtesy of Kirk Freeport as part of their prize. In addition, the Cayman Islands Marathon has partnered with Run Barbados to offer an all-expenses paid trip to Barbados for the top local male and female half marathon champions to participate in the Run Barbados race weekend which takes place the week after the Cayman event. The winners will each enjoy a prize consisting of roundtrip airfare for two to Barbados via the direct Cayman Airways flight, accommodations, ground transport, race registration, meals and activities. 

Volunteers are competing too as the popular Cayman Airways Water Stop Challenge happens once again. The most enthusiastic, encouraging, entertaining water stop, as voted for by the participants, will win free airline tickets courtesy of the national airline. 

Each year thousands of dollars are raised for various charities and non-profit organisations via the Cayman Islands Marathon as many participants choose to run for a cause and solicit online donations from friends and family members while others simply add a donation while registering. The 2022 event raised almost USD30,000 and this year over USD 24,000 has been raised to date.  

“For so many of our participants this event is more than a race. It’s a milestone, a celebration, a victory over adversity, a way to honour a loved one, the fulfilment of a personal goal, a campaign to raise funds and awareness for an important cause. The reasons why people run 26.2 or 13.1 or 6.5 miles can be so inspirational and at times emotional,” said Co-Race Director Rhonda Kelly from Kelly Holding Ltd., owner and organiser of the Cayman Islands Marathon.  “We are thrilled to witness these powerful moments and count it an honour to be a part of the story.”

Marathon Stories 

• Andre Vincent has always hated running and had a complete mental block against it but has decided to face his fears and give the half marathon a try. 
• Daisy Morris from Toronto, Canada is running the half marathon in memory of her friend, Liesl, who lived in Cayman and recently passed away after battling cancer for four years. She is raising money for Jasmine who took such wonderful care of her friend.
• Lisa Hindle is determined to give the half marathon her best shot after having emergency spinal surgery last year and suffering nerve damage through her right leg as a result.
• Alexandra Ebanks registered for her first Cayman Islands Half Marathon in 2016 as a weight loss goal and this is now her 8^th consecutive half marathon in a row. She says she’s at this race whether she’s running or walking.
• Ems Melland is returning to the race for the first time since having kids. She has run the full marathon twice and the half marathon a few times. She last ran the half in 2016 when she was pregnant with her daughter.
• The half marathon will be the first big challenge for well-known local runner and triathlete Celine Macken who is returning to the sporting world one year after being involved in a hit and run accident (she was the victim) where she ended up needing a hip replacement and elbow reconstruction. She will be running and walking the event. 
• It is Henry Murray’s goal to run a half marathon in the 50 states of America and on 13 Caribbean islands. So far, the Colorado native has done seven states and Cayman will be his first Caribbean island. 
• This will be Nicola Galvin’s third year running the half marathon. She ran her first in 2021 just after finishing university. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she never had a graduation ceremony and she felt as if her accomplishment went unnoticed. She decided to try the half marathon because she wanted to prove to herself that she really had crossed a finish line, so to speak, and she hoped her family could see her do it. Ironically, nobody was allowed to watch the race in 2021 due to the ongoing restrictions, and Nicola crossed the finish line alone. 

“But I did it!” said Nicola. “And then I swore I would never do it again. Then 2022 came around and I ran again. I even got my time down. Anyway, 2023 and here I am again. Doing this race feels meditative; it’s becoming my annual way of reminding myself that I am doing well, that I am accomplishing things, and that perseverance is what matters.”

• Emily Dean and her family moved to Cayman in November 2022 and says it seems right to celebrate their first year here by running the half marathon.
• Madelin Mora Lopez was the winner of a free marathon training programme with Scott Ruby as part of the race’s partnership with 7 Mile Strength & Fitness. Madelin participated in the four-month training which took place three times a week and also included strength training. The grandmother of three was nominated by a number of people who talked about her passion for running.
• Alli Salaman will be travelling from Lafayette, Colorado to run the half marathon. Back in December 2022, Alli broke her leg. She underwent surgery and had to have a lot of metal installed to repair the break. She wasn’t allowed to walk or put any weight on her leg for months. A friend of hers lives in Cayman, and all during her recovery has been encouraging Alli to visit and participate in the race. Alli is looking forward to dance-walking and hopefully doing some running too. She says she cannot think of a better way to celebrate a year of recovery. 
• Claire Jansen Van Rensburg is running with purpose after a devastating loss in her family. “I will be running for APS UK. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder that causes abnormal blood clots to form. Autoimmune disorders occur when your body’s immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage your own tissues or cells. My sister-in-law passed away due to this condition earlier this year. I wish to create awareness on the island about this and raise funds so that other families never suffer the tragic loss we have. She was only 30 when she passed, leaving my brother a widower.”
• Jahz Carey from Florida is challenging herself to complete a half marathon on most of the Caribbean islands as part of her #10021KChallenge. That’s 100 half marathons. Cayman will be her third island. She’s already done the Kingston City Half Marathon (Jamaica, 2016), the Reggae Half Marathon (Jamaica, 2022) and the Lola Challenge Half Marathon (Puerto Rico, 2023). 
• Janet McPherson from Reno, Nevada will be doing her very first half marathon here in Cayman. Back in November 2022 Janet decided to adopt a new healthy lifestyle. Since then, she’s lost 60lbs and says she has another 40lbs to go. In August she bought a Nordic Track and has been working on her endurance and cardio fitness. She’s up to a 15-minute mile now. On race day she’ll be at the start line with two of her girlfriends. 

“Although I’ll be the oldest, the shortest and the heaviest of the three of us, I believe I’ll do myself proud and keep up with them and finish strong!” says Janet.

• John Gaine from New York will be running the full marathon. He has a very interesting tie to the Cayman Islands. His wife, Denise, is from the UK and back when she was a student, her school was paired with a primary school on Cayman Brac to be pen friends. Denise and her Cayman Brac pen pal Ellen kept in touch for many decades and eventually they met in person and became genuine friends. The families enjoy spending time together and John and Denise’s son, Peter, even spent a summer on the Brac which he will always cherish. The family has been back many times and this time it coincided with the marathon. John is looking forward to running through Grand Cayman and then recovering on Cayman Brac with Ellen and Delano. 
• Natalie Smillie and Vicky Rankin are running Cayman in memory of their loved ones and to raise funds to help others. When she was just 21-years old, Vicky, her mom and two younger brothers lost Joe, their dad and husband respectively, after a relentless battle with lung cancer. She says his passing left an unfillable void in their lives. 

“To honour his memory and ensure that other families don’t have to endure the same anguish, I have committed myself to raising funds to combat lung cancer. I believe that, together, we can make a substantial impact in preventing other families from suffering the same profound loss that we did. With our collective efforts, we can provide hope, support, and resources for research and awareness. Together, we can create a brighter future, free from the pain and heartache of this devastating disease.”

Natalie lost her mom, Glenda, to lung cancer just a few weeks ago. Like Vicky, she believes that, together, we can all make a substantial impact in preventing other families from suffering the same profound loss that they did. As they make their way along the route, the duo will also be thinking of Natalie’s friend, Liesl Richter, who also just lost her battle with lung cancer.

• Paola Juarez-Robinson, three of her colleagues and her husband/colleague will be lacing up and running for the YMCA Cayman Islands. All members of the Y Board, the group – one team and a half marathoner – will be raising funds for the Y’s Caring Campaign, a fundraising effort to support families experiencing financial hardship. 

“At the Y, we believe that no child should be turned away from our programmes, due to financial restraints. The YMCA provides financial assistance year-round, and this year’s Caring campaign has four focus areas: youth sports, Y Day Camp, safety around water and the Extended After-School Programme,” said Paola. The fundraising goal is $200,000.

• Patricia Howard-Muschette is celebrating her 10th anniversary of participation in the race. Over the last few years, she’s had to walk the half due to injury but this year she is determined to run the entire thing. She’s still recovering but she says she believes she can and will do it. 

Pat’s resolve has increased even more in the last few weeks. Back in September, her mom went into cardiac arrest while in the middle of a conversation with Pat. 

“I watched the paramedics fight with her for over a half hour before a heartbeat returned. Today she is able to have conversations with me due to her fight and determination. She has encouraged me to push even harder past this injury. Running brings me such comfort. I remember refusing medication in September when the doctor offered it after I witnessed my mom flatline. My response was, “I’m okay. I’ll go for a run later. And run I did…almost every day since that horrible day in September.”

• The Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon will be Cathy Alisauskas’ 164th half marathon and her second international half. The California native enjoys doing a half marathon ‘run-cation’ every month. Her goal is seven international half marathons before she’s 70.
• This year marks Emmanuela Quesada’s triumphant return to the race. It will be her first time running the event since being knocked down by a car in 2018. On the night of Valentine’s Day 2018, Emmanuela left work and was on her way to show some love to her friends who bartend at an establishment on West Bay Road. Armed with some roses for her friends, she remembers crossing the road (looking both ways first of course) and then everything went black. When she regained consciousness, the roses were smashed, and her face was smashed. 

Emmanuela says it was a tough time for her physically and mentally, and even though she is in good shape now, the trauma caused by the accident still makes her hesitant to run. 

“Because of a miracle I am still alive, and I am very grateful for this. It could have been a lot worse,” said Emmanuela. “I used to run a lot. I’ve done the Cayman half marathon five times, and a full marathon in Chicago 10 years ago. I hope this is the beginning of my return to running, but if it isn’t, all I can say is I am happy I can do what I do, I live on a beautiful island, I have my dog, a great job and great friends…I am alive!”

• Cindy Blekaitis, single mom of two, says she is running Cayman for her children, for all single moms (like her) who have lost themselves in toxic relationships and most importantly for herself. At one time she was an enthusiastic, fierce athlete playing rugby, football, softball and volleyball. Years later, she’s now divorced and despite financially struggling, Cindy refuses to give up. She continues on a journey of healing her spirit, soul and body. Cindy is now reconnecting with her extended family and herself while helping her children heal too. The half marathon is part of that healing.
• Gretchen Gramlich from Florida will be returning to run Cayman. A hairstylist for eight years, her first salon job was at Rock Gorgeous Hair here on Grand Cayman. Every day before work she would go on a run up to West Bay and back past George Town. 

“I loved running through George Town on cruise ship days and seeing all the tourists. It’s been about four years since I’ve been on island, and I cannot wait to smell the ocean air while on my morning run!”

The Cayman Islands half marathon will be Gretchen’s fifth half marathon and she will run three other halfs by March next year.

• Local runner Emily Davies is stuck in the UK but is hoping to run the Walkers Cayman Islands Half Marathon virtually.

“In my heart I am running with Ivan Jones, and I am also running for my father Roger Davies (we still hold the record for fastest family team) for his resilience in the pain and agony that he suffered due to a second bout of cancer. He is the reason why I run, and I am proud of him for pulling through this year!

Lastly, I am running – and will never stop doing so – for my cross-country teammate from university, Erin Wrigglesworth, who sadly passed away of triple negative breast cancer last August. I visited her grave and I shed many tears for her love of running, for her family and her country.”

Organisers are asking for the public’s cooperation and patience during the race by keeping traffic along the race route to a minimum, and in particular those people who live along the route are being asked to secure their dogs in their yards and turn on their Christmas lights (if they have any) from 4:00am on the morning of 3 December. There will be police support and presence on the roads and a few road closures to facilitate the safety of participants. Other safety measures put in place include EMTs and an ambulance stationed at the start/finish line, Red Cross volunteers at various points on the course and a fully staffed and stocked medical tent manned by sponsor Health City Cayman Islands.

The race starts on the George Town Waterfront in front of Hard Rock Café and goes through South Church Street, South Sound and Prospect Point Road, after which runners turn around and go back through South Sound and then onto Walkers and Hospital Roads, Elgin Avenue, Edward and Fort Streets and back to Hard Rock Café.  

Registration for the 2023 Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon, half marathon, four-person relay and Milo Kids Fun Run is open online at CaymanIslandsMarathon.com until midnight on Wednesday, 29 November. Late registration takes place at the Westin Resort on Saturday, 2 December from 9am to 5pm. 

The Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon is also sponsored by the Ministry of Youth & Sports, CG BritCay, Sotheby’s International Realty, Department of Tourism, Health City Cayman Islands, Flowers Bottled Water, Cayman Airways, Cayman National, Tag Heuer, Compass Media, Logic, Kirk Freeport, FastSigns, Wata, Gatorade, Karv, Massive, Mike’s Ice, Netclues, What’s On Cayman, CUC, Milo, Quaker, Cayman Physiotherapy, Cost-U-Less, Kelly Holding Events & Communications, Hopscotch Productions, McAlpine, CayLight and Marshall’s Rent-A-Car.

For more information about the race, call 623.8823, email [email protected] or visit CaymanIslandsMarathon.com. Follow @CaymanMarathon on Facebook and Instagram for news and updates.