Multisport athlete Ava Hider this month will attempt to run 100 miles in honour of her late coach, Derek Larner.
Larner, 57, was known throughout the Cayman Islands as a long-distance coach, volunteer, UK military veteran and CI Regiment officer. On 5 Jan. 2021, he passed away after months of battling pancreatic cancer.
“I saw that it was in January and that is an important month,” Hider, 21, told the Cayman Compass. “It’s only a small thing that I can do for someone who had such a big influence on so many people, especially me.”
She aims to raise money for and spread awareness through the United Kingdom-based non-profit Pancreatic Cancer Action, which focusses on improving pancreatic cancer outcomes through early diagnosis. She will be running as part of the Jog Jan for Pan Can, which the charity organises.
Hider, who attends the University of Sussex in the UK, has represented Cayman in both athletics and sailing. She competed in track at two CARIFTA Games under the guidance of Larner and his 345 Athletic Club.
Following the passing of her long-time coach, Hider said she stayed away from the sport but found new purpose when she returned home for the holidays, adding that it has been difficult.
“This was a good way to get my mindset back into it, trying to create a reason to get back out there and, especially with everyone’s support, it’s definitely been a huge reason why I am able to lace up my shoes and keep going,” she said.
She has been running the miles following specific routes – those places where she previously trained with Larner.
“We would have our track sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday and then we go out for a longer runs on a Sunday. So, I’m just trying to mimic that.”
Hider noted that she previously ran with Larner, but added, “doing it now is a bit more challenging”.
Larner’s contributions to athletics in Cayman stretch back almost a decade. He founded 345 Athletic Club and Race Caribbean – a business dedicated to assist companies and non-profits in hosting fun runs and racing events.
Over the past year, many organisations have honoured Larner in their annual events. The 2021 Stride Against Cancer walk/run was held in memory of Larner, as was the Guardians Alive 10K/5K and several Cayman Islands Athletic Association track meets.
Larner’s wife, Laura Larner, told the Compass that she has felt the support from the community since her husband’s passing.
“Nearly all of the athletes have come to see Scarlett (Derek and Laura’s daughter) and I, and that’s just been wonderful and that’s the type of relationship that Derek developed with his athletes, where they cared enough about him to care about me and Scarlett,” she said.
She also appreciated Hider’s efforts to spread awareness.
“I think it’s so wonderful what Ava is doing,” she said. “Not only is it honouring the memory of Derek and a great coach but it’s really bringing awareness to something that is so important; people’s health and making sure you know what’s going on with yourself.”
Hider is aiming to finish the 100 miles by 31 Jan. and hopes to raise $1,000.
Visit https://pancreaticcanceraction.enthuse.com/pf/ava-hider to donate to her efforts.
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