The Valentine’s Mile run was won by Marius Acker last week. No surprise there when considering half a dozen of Cayman’s top runners have left in recent months. Yet fitness fanatic Acker remains as focused as ever in maintaining his status as Grand Cayman’s speediest. Mars is still on a different planet.
The 40-year-old South African road king is not ready to abdicate. “In last year’s Cayman Islands 1500m track event I only managed a poor third placing so I was not assured of a top three placing for the Valentine Mile,” he said. “This was the only event I could use as a bench mark with local athletes to see where I might place and what race strategy to follow.
“The shorter the distance makes it a much harder race for me, as I am more of an endurance athlete. I am not a fan of the shorter races. Jonathan Shillito is a recent arrival on the Island who came second, showed in the Cross Island Relay that he will be a threat, so I was not sure what to expect from him over such a short distance. He ran the second fastest overall leg of the day. (Acker was the fastest).
“Last week I had to work all the way to the finish as Shillito was breathing down my neck with half a mile to go. I never looked back so never knew how far the chasing pack was, looking back shows fear and it messes up your running style which in turn costs valuable time.”
Acker’s previous race was the Miami 21km three weeks ago so it was a challenge trying to increase speed for the shorter event around Grand Harbour. “I had to incorporate more speedwork in my workout routine in the last week to simulate the Valentine’s race pace.”
There were many high value prizes in the Valentine’s Mile, including a $500 gift voucher for first place from Kirk’s. That was the clincher for Acker. “The race is a bit short for my liking and it was a very windy day. I was very tempted to go kiteboarding but the prize incentive made it worthwhile to sacrifice an afternoon of kiting. The race was well intended and I can see a great future for this event.” It was organised by Derek Larner’s Race Caribbean and over 200 competed, including many romantic couples. Larner said: “Thanks to the terrific support of race sponsors Cartier and Kirk Freeport, in covering all race costs, providing unique trophies and awesome raffle prizes, the Valentine’s Mile was able to raise over $4,000 for local charity Hedge Funds Care, which works to prevent child abuse and neglect in the Cayman Islands.”
Women’s winner was recent Grand Cayman arrival Claire Critchley. Governor Duncan Taylor ran, watched by newly elected President of the athletics association, Dalton Watler. There was a children’s race too.
Next for Acker is Off The Beaten Track on Sunday. He has a burning desire to beat the formidable British Bulldogs team. “I want to put a leash on the British Bullldogs. It always makes for a good incentive. I am also looking forward to the Tower run at Camana Bay which was well organised last year and a fun event.”
Acker may do the Irish Jog on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March, too. “I’m undecided. I’m not a fan of the windy course, that’s why I’ve made it my social run for the last couple of years. I will probably walk it with friends and a stroller.”
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