Organisers of the Cayman Islands Marathon are looking for a few good men and women to volunteer their time and energy for the big race.
It’s on Sunday 7 December which is expected to attract a record number of over 800 runners.
Race director Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holding, feels there are many ways that people could assist with this charity event, all the proceeds of which go to the Cadet Corps and the Cancer Society.
Volunteers are needed to put medals around the runners’ necks at the finish line, serve refreshments to the runners, assist with runner registrations, help with the timing of the event, drive relay shuttles, supervise bag check in, or just cheer a tired runner on those last few yards.
One group of volunteers who are absolutely vital to the success of the race, says Kelly, are the water stop teams.
They are responsible for handing out Gatorade, water and snacks to the runners on the course, and just keeping them motivated and focused on finishing.
Each year 12 water station teams vie for the coveted title of Best Water Stop, which is decided by the runners, and for the past four years the Mexico water station has captured the prize each time.
However, this time the undefeated champions will not be participating, reveals Kelly, which opens the door for a brand new Water Stop Champion to take over.
‘We are going to miss the Mexicans terribly,’ she said. ‘They had become a staple of our race, and had basically attained ‘professional’ water stop status. However, we are also excited about crowning a new champion, and this year Cayman Travel Services has come on board as the sponsors of our Water Stop Challenge.
‘We are pleased to announce that the water stop team which wins the Cayman Travel Water Stop Challenge will receive a US$2,000 travel voucher!’
The majority of volunteers for the Cayman Marathon are the Cadet Corps parents who come out to support the event and their children, some of whom run portions of the race.
The rest are members of the community who enjoy the opportunity to be a part of a fun and inspirational event. Many are repeat volunteers.
‘I love being a part of the Cayman Islands Marathon,’ says Pam Parsons, who has volunteered for the past two years doing everything from bag check in to clean up to serving refreshments.
‘It feels good to be a part of something bigger than yourself, to see the look of excitement and pride on the runners’ faces when they cross that finish line and the medal is placed around their necks.
‘For some it’s the first time they have ever completed a race like this and it’s inspiring for us volunteers to be able to witness and share in this momentous occasion with them. Each year it gets better and more exciting!’
‘There is no shortage of ways that people can help us on race day,’ said Kelly. ‘We absolutely cannot do this without our volunteers, and they are the ones who make the runners’ race experience enjoyable and memorable.
‘Every year without fail our runners give us positive feedback about the volunteers, and compliment them on the great job that they do with so much enthusiasm, and so early in the morning at that!’
Online 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 on running the race or becoming a volunteer, log on to www.CaymanIslandsMarathon.com, email [email protected] or call Sue Greene on 946.8822.
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