Launching into its fourth year, Off The Beaten Track (OTBT) will set off on Sunday, 24 February with a fresh start time of 6:00 am, a brand new route an exciting new finish line at Tiki Beach.

This unique off-road trail run cuts across beaches, the bush and back roads of Grand Cayman. While the physical demands of the race are significantly more challenging than a typical road race, team relay members only run a fraction more than 5 miles each. For those entering as individuals, they will run an epic 50 kilometres across a course designed to mirror the gruelling Marathon des Sables ultra-distance race run in the hot sands of Morocco every year.

Title sponsor and organizer KRyS Global’s CEO, Ken Krys says, “There are a great many runners here in Cayman, and I urge all of them to come out. The team aspect allows everyone of all levels to participate, while experienced marathoners can choose to run solo. Another unique aspect is the actual course is not revealed until the week before race day.”

All proceeds raised from the race will go to charity. Facing Africa, the primary beneficiary, is an organization that sends teams of surgeons and medical supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa to battle a devastating disease called Noma, which causes deformities of the face in predominantly young malnourished children. This year’s local beneficiaries are Cayman’s Ark and the NCVO (National Council of Voluntary Organisations).

Cayman’s business community is challenged to enter their corporate relay teams. This year there will be prizes for the fastest individual male, individual female, all-female relay team, all-male relay team, co-ed relay team, and corporate relay team. Runners will enjoy a hearty post race meal during the medal distribution ceremony in the scenic comforts of Tiki Beach.

More information: www.offthebeatentrack.ky

Prior Years: Sunday February 26th 2012 marked the 3rd annual Off The Beaten Track 50k ultra-marathon. Over 100 participants consisting of 17 relay teams and 9 individual runners took part in this one of a kind trail run, unique to Cayman, venturing ‘off the beaten track’ on the beach, dirt roads, through brush and even water crossings….

….Ken Krys, CEO of KRyS Global and founder of the race, was very proud of all the participants. “This is the third year for Off The Beaten Track and I am very happy with the outcome. Every year the route changes and gives runners the opportunity to see parts of Cayman they are probably not familiar with”, Krys said.

The fastest male individual runner was Conrad Proud crossing the finish line with a time of 5:06:15, picking up his baby girl and crossing the line with her in his arms. Proud also participated last year as part of the winning relay team, Beer Me. The fastest female individual runner was Elizabeth Berns with an amazing finishing time of 6:18:50. This is her second year winning as the fastest individual female runner.

The first relay team to reach the finish line in 3 hours, 43 minutes and 24 seconds was The Leftovers. Team members included: Marius Acker, Chris Rose, Jonathan Shillito, Tristan Von Kirchenheim, Carl Grant and Ray Welds. Welds ran the last leg, being the first runner of the day to complete the race. The fasted coed relay team was Marco’s Marauders finishing in 4:20:47. This team included: Marlon Crowe, Marco Miranda, Gabriela Davies, Martin Davies, Roger Davies and Sam Ellis.

The Ogiers Girls, who have participated all three years, finished the race with a time of 4:47:57. The ‘girls’ consisted of Lisa Kehoe, Claire Lloyd-Hickey, Dawn Kirton, Kirsten McMillan, Pat McCallum and Claire Hughes.

There was also an award given to the top corporate relay team, RBC Wealth Management, finishing in 4:50:03. Their runners included: George Carvallho, Jana Heath, Graham Coleman, Marius Deysel, Marco Gasper and Johan Heath.

Governor Duncan Taylor also had a relay team, the Governor’s Office, finishing overall third place with a finishing time of 4:26:11. Governor Taylor ran leg 1 of the race throughout Safehaven and parts of Seven Mile Beach.