Cayman’s marathon scene could be the envy of the Caribbean in a few years if the kids being introduced to long-distance running continue to show their enthusiasm into adulthood.
Following on from its successful debut last year, the Kids Fun Run, which is hosted by the Cayman Islands Marathon and sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Sports, will be taking place again on Sunday, 7 December, and organisers are encouraging parents to sign their children up as early as possible.
The race begins at 9:30am at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue (the Glass House), and the youngsters will run around half a mile and finish at Breezes by the Bay Restaurant, where the other runners also complete their event.
The race organisers have asked permission to visit the primary schools around the island to talk to the children about the Kids Fun Run and marathons in general.
To date, students from the First Baptist Christian, Grace Christian Academy, George Town Primary, Bodden Town, John A. Cumber Primary, Savannah Primary, North Side, East End, Prospect Primary and Truth for Youth Schools have learned about the very first marathon which took place in ancient Greece, and had the opportunity to ask questions about the race.
‘It is never too early to get our children involved in activities that will promote a lifestyle of fitness and exercise,’ says Rhonda Kelly, Race Director.
‘The fact is that our kids today lead a very sedentary lifestyle and it is important that we get them moving.
‘The Kids Fun Run is an easy, non-competitive race. Every child is a winner. This is also a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together because parents can run their event which starts 4.5 hours earlier, and then support their children in their race.’
Registration for the Kids Fun Run is free for all Government school students and CI$10 for children from private schools, and includes a T-shirt and a finisher’s medal.
The race is limited to 500 kids between the ages of 8 and 12 so parents are encouraged to register their kids today, if possible, which can be done online at CaymanIslandsMarathon.com.
‘I would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports & Culture for seeing our vision for this event, and partnering with us once again to make it happen,’ added Kelly.
‘The obesity rate among Cayman’s children is rising and we need to do something about it before it spirals out of control.
‘The Ministry has taken a proactive approach through their sponsorship of the Kids Fun Run, and I would like to encourage both parents and students to join us for the race and get active.’
Government students must register at their schools while private school students can register online at CaymanIslandsMarathon.com or through their schools.
Registration for the Cayman Islands Marathon, half-marathon and four-person relay is available at CaymanIslandsMarathon.com. Participants can also do walk-in registration at the Kelly Holding office. For more information log on to CaymanIslandsMarathon.com, email [email protected] or call Sue Greene on 345.946.8822.
The Cayman Islands Marathon is sponsored by Digicel, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Education, Gatorade, Flowers Bottled Water, Corona Light, Cayman National, Atlantic Star Limited, Sagicor, Breezes By the Bay Restaurant, Cayman Free Press, Kirk Freeport, 106.1 KISS FM, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, Island Companies, ESSO, BioFreeze/RVC Rehab Services, Quaker, Red Sail Sports, CUC, Royal Bank of Canada, Audi, Tropicana, RE/MAX Cayman Islands, Million Dollar Run, Inc. and The Final Touch.
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