Record Cayman Islands DG’s 5K Challenge Crowd Turns Out For YMCA

There was a sea of blue t-shirts in George Town today (Sunday, 30 April 2017) as walkers and runners took part in the 2017 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge.

Wearing the event’s signatory colour, participants helped raise money for this year’s chosen charity, the YMCA of the Cayman Islands.

More than 1,800 people from all walks of life registered for the event to support Deputy Governor Franz Manderson in his annual fitness and fund-raising drive which benefits worthy organisations in the community.

“It’s one of the proudest days of my life to see so many people come and be a part of the solution to challenges we face in the Cayman Islands,” he said. “It’s easy to criticise, but much more productive to come together and help make a change. The YMCA is doing a fantastic job with our young people and I am very pleased to support them in their work.”

With the focus on youth, cash raised by the DG’s 5K Challenge will used by the YMCA to build a ropes challenge course, which provides an alternative to classroom-style learning.

“We are overwhelmed by the support of everybody who has taken part in this event to help us build the course,” said YMCA Chairman Andrew Johnson. “The facility will benefit all the young people of the Cayman Islands, as well as the winder community. We are extremely grateful to Mr. Manderson and the DG’s 5K Challenge team, as well as all who participated.”

After a competitive race, the overall fastest male runner was defending champion Dominic Dyer in a time of 17:18, beating his time last year by two seconds. The overall fastest female runner was Tiff Cole in a time of 19:51.

The fastest civil servant male runner was Marco Miranda in a time of 21.12 and the fastest civil servant female runner was Sophia Williams in a time of 29.17.

Group trophy winners, along with the final fund-raising total, will be announced at a later date.

This is the fourth DG’s 5K Challenge, embodying Mr. Manderson’s vision to have a healthier, more active and socially engaged civil service.

The inaugural event in 2014 raised $12,500 for Cayman HospiceCare and the 2015 walk/run raised $50,000 for Special Olympics Cayman Islands to help send athletes to the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Last year $60,000 was raised for Cayman Heart fund to buy a new ambulance that was gifted to the people of the Cayman Islands.

Money is raised from corporate sponsorship and participants’ registration fees.

“This year’s Challenge, both in Cayman Brac last weekend and in Grand Cayman this weekend, has shown what we can achieve when we all come together as one,” said Mr. Manderson. “Thank you to everyone who sponsored the event, helped organise it and to everyone came out to take part. I am already looking forward to next year.

Photo captions:

1 L-r: DG’s 5K Challenge Co-chair Jennifer Ahearn, Bryan Hunter of platinum sponsor Appleby, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, YMCA Chairman Andrew Johnson at the start line.

2 Deputy Governor surges forward with the crowd.

3 Mr. Manderson triumphant at the finish line.

4 A joyful Deputy Governor thanks the crowd.