By Kevin Watler

Inspiring local runners raise thousands for a charity close to their hearts.

George Town, Cayman Islands – 8 May 2024

They say there’s nothing like friends and family to keep you going and that couldn’t be truer for
ultra-athlete Kerri Kanuga this holiday weekend as she took on the first event in her “500 miles
from the heart” running challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Cayman Heart Foundation.

Kerri, along with good friends Denis Olarou, John Royle, James Elliott, Gary Hendrikse, Bill
Fleury, Karina McDermot, Russell Smith, and Gill Gordon collectively ran over 250 miles on
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May for the Cayman Heart Foundation, the national charity for
cardiovascular health.

This is the latest charity challenge for Kerri Kanuga, local real estate broker/owner and ultra
marathon legend who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes over the
years. Kerri has previously been recognized with an award from Frank Flowers, founder of
Flowers Sea Swim, as well as receiving the high honour of being called up to the “Knights of the
Bald Table”, a noble rank among the valiant League of Legendary Heroes for the St Baldrick’s
childhood cancer charity.

“All funds raised from the challenge go directly to the charity”, says Kerri, “My friends and I pay
all the expenses for the race ourselves. It certainly helps our spirits on race days when we see
people sharing our social updates, cheering us on, and supporting the charities financially.”

Kerri and Denis ran a double circumnavigation of the beautiful island of Grand Cayman – a 107-
mile run, or four consecutive marathons, from Starfish Point to Barkers National Park and back
again. John Royle joined them for the second leg of 53 miles and various other runners joined
them part of the way to cheer them on and keep them going.

The event kicked off at 3am Saturday 4 May and finished as the sun set over Starfish Point on
Sunday 5 May. The ultra-athletes ran through rain, blistering sun, and the Batabano Parade.

The famous quote “what does not kill us makes us stronger” is particularly appropriate for these
types of challenges. Running an ultra-marathon takes fitness far beyond what is required for a
regular marathon requiring remarkable levels of physical endurance and mental stamina in order
to keep going through the days and into the night.

Kerri and friends were running to raise funds for the Cayman Heart Foundation, a cause close to
Kerri’s heart. Visiting Canada over Christmas she learned that her good friend’s 3-year-old
grandson is back on the waiting list for his second heart transplant after the first started to reject.
Aware that Cayman also has charity that helps families in similar circumstances, she got in touch
with Denis’ wife Ally who is Coordinator at the Cayman Heart Foundation, to see how she could
help. After talking to Ally, Kerri learned that heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the
Cayman Islands – and more awareness and funds is required to help the CHF with its lifesaving
work including free public health screenings, CPR classes, and support for families of babies born
with congenital heart defects.

Kerri is going on to represent the Cayman Islands solo in several races all around the world,
Badwater 135 (a blistering 135-mile run through Death Valley, USA, in July), at Spartathlon (a
153-mile historic race from Athens to Sparta in Greece in September), and at Daytona 100 (a
100-mile ultramarathon along Florida’s East Coast barrier island in December).

“The Cayman Heart Foundation provides lifesaving work in the community”, said Ally Olarou,
Coordinator of the Cayman Heart Foundation. “Heart disease is the biggest cause of premature
death in the Cayman Islands and through our community health screenings, and wellness
programs, we aim to keep the hearts of those we love beating for longer. On behalf of everyone
at the Cayman Heart Foundation we applaud Kerri and all the fantastic ultra runners for bring
attention to this important issue and raising funds for this important cause. Together we will save
more lives.” She added.

To support the runner’s persons can donate through their fundraising platform at:
https://gogetfunding.com/run-from-the-heart-500-part-one-107-miles-in-grand-cayman/

Individuals interested in learning more about the work of the Cayman Heart Foundation can email
[email protected] or call 746-1490.

For additional information about the Cayman Heart Foundation and other initiatives, visit
caymanheartfoundation.ky.