After reaching the magic 1,000-runner mark in the 2011 event, organisers of the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon are hitting the pavement hard once again to promote this year’s race overseas, most recently at the world renowned Boston Marathon which is the globe’s oldest 26.2 mile run and in its 116th year.
It attracted almost 27,000 registered runners. The Intertrust Cayman Marathon had a booth at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo and Number Pick Up which took place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the big race on Monday 16 April.
Race Director Rhonda Kelly was there to talk about the event, which is on Sunday 2 December. Veronica Torra of the Department of Tourism was also at the booth promoting the Cayman Islands as a tourist destination.
Over 1,000 people entered a draw to win a trip for two to the Cayman Islands courtesy of DoT, who as a major sponsor financed the organisers’ participation in Boston.
An estimated 75,000 people passed through the Boston Seaport where Kelly handed out Marathon promotional brochures.
Steve Speirs, two-time winner of the Intertrust Cayman Marathon from Virginia and great promoter of the event, stopped by the booth with wife Ally to say hello as well as local runners Derek Haines and Beth Schreader who clocked 4 hours 27 minutes 53 seconds and 3:23:06 respectively in their runs.
Kelly also had the opportunity to speak with Patrick House, the winner of NBC’s The Biggest Loser show in 2012, who is considering coming to run the Intertrust Marathon this year.
Haines who has been a longtime supporter of the Cayman Islands Marathon actually used the Cayman race to qualify for Boston. Despite all of his many other marathons, this was his first time taking part in the historical Boston event.
“Exhibiting at the Boston Marathon is an excellent opportunity and probably one of the best races to attend to promote the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon and the Cayman Islands as a destination,” explained Kelly. “This is our sixth year exhibiting at this event and I strongly feel we are getting the exposure we need to continually grow our numbers with overseas runners. The interest was phenomenal and I think we are going to reap great rewards once again this year as a result of our presence in Boston.”
“From the Department of Tourism perspective, this is always a fantastic marketing opportunity,” said Veronica Torra. “There is such a variety of people who attend this event, from all over the United States and the rest of the world.
“This show is very different in comparison to the trade shows that we traditionally do and it gives us a unique opportunity to reach some audiences that we normally are not able to impact. This is good for not only the Cayman Islands Marathon but for the Cayman Islands.”
Grand Cayman is ideal for running because of its flat terrain, making the course a fast one. In addition the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations and is a member of the International Association of Marathons and Distance Races.
“We have a vision for this race. We believe it not only benefits the Cayman Islands economically, but it is also a great community event that promotes better health and fitness,” added Kelly.
“As a result, we are investing even more time and money this year into marketing the event internationally in order to get the results we believe are achievable.
“Our goal is to have 2,000 runners on the streets of Cayman and with a comprehensive, strategic marketing plan which includes going to races like Boston, putting brochures in runners’ bags at other races and placing ads in publications such as Marathon and Beyond, we strongly believe we can achieve our objective.
“Partnering with us are our amazing sponsors – such as the Department of Tourism – who continue to support us each year and without whom we could not take advantage of these great marketing opportunities. We are so grateful to them for sharing in our vision and this great experience.”
The Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon is sponsored by Department of Tourism; Ministry of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports & Culture; Gatorade; Flowers Bottled Water; Digicel; Cayman National; Cayman First; Breezes By the Bay Restaurant; Kirk Freeport; 106.1 KISS FM; Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, CayCompass.com; NCI Services; Dolphin Discovery; Conyers Dill & Pearman; MILO; Cayman Airways; FastSigns; RVC Rehab/BioFreeze; Bliss Yoga Cayman; Coppertone; Tropicana Tours; Quaker; CUC; RE/MAX Cayman Islands; KPMG; CayBrew Light; Smoothie King; Scotiabank; The Final Touch; Harneys; Coca-Cola; Cayman Imports Ltd.; Cost-U-Less; and KRyS Global.
The Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society are the benefitting charities from this year’s event. Online registration is now open at www.CaymanIslandsMarathon.com for the marathon, half-marathon (13.1 miles), 4-person relay and Kids Fun Run.
For more information, call Bev Sinclair at Kelly Holding on 946-8822, email [email protected]
For more information, call Bev Sinclair at Kelly Holding on 946-8822, email [email protected]
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