Volunteers needed for big race

Organisers of the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon are looking for volunteers for the big race. 

It is on Sunday 4 December and is expected to attract 1,000 runners for the first time. Race director Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holding said there are many ways that people can assist with this event, part proceeds of which go to the Cadet Corps and the Cancer Society.  

Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, including packet pick-up the day before the race to a slew of needs on race day including serving refreshments to the runners, back-up timing, relay shuttles, bag check in, or just cheering a tired runner on those last few yards.  

A large number of volunteers for the Intertrust Cayman Marathon come from the Cadet Corps parents who come out every year to support the event and their children. The rest are members of the community who enjoy the opportunity to be a part of a fun and inspirational event.  

“We feel honoured that so many volunteers come out year after year. The spirit of our Caymanian community is truly felt by all of us on marathon morning,” says Kelly.  

Theo Cuffy and Mercedes Scott are two such volunteers. This will be their third year assisting with the event. Cuffy, better known as local cricket’s technical director, is very popular man after the race. He is responsible for distributing free beer to the runners while Scott works in the wee hours to ensure that runners will have fresh, sliced fruit just before they start the race and when they have completed their long run.  

Scott initially got involved with the marathon when her son joined the Cadets Corps. She says she keeps coming back because the event benefits the Corps, and as a parent she is very grateful for the funding the organisation receives but volunteering also gives her a great sense of pride and an opportunity to give back to the community while helping to promote the Cayman Islands. 

Cuffy’s reasoning is a bit simpler. “This event is like family. Nothing could keep me away!” He enjoys his interaction with the runners and being able to help this exceptional event in his small way. 

“The runners love this event and us volunteers,” Cuffy says. “One runner told me she had a fantastic experience and that we should book her for next year and the year after! I think the organisers and volunteers have worked hard to create an event that people enjoy being a part of, and will repeatedly come back to participate in.” 

Scott agrees with Cuffy. “The runners have been great!” declares Scott. “They are very appreciative of the assistance that we offer, whether it’s just giving a simple direction or helping them out of their sneakers at the finish line. It’s an amazing experience. You don’t want to miss it.”” 

Scott is constantly amazed at how people of all ages and abilities use their physical and mental fortitude to cross the finish line, but is most inspired by the two wheelchair athletes, Ryan Chalmers and Brian Siemann, who have participated in the half marathon for the past three years and will be back again with a female colleague to compete again.  

Both Cuffy and Scott are encouraging others to come out and volunteer for the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted,” says Scott. “It is so awesome and gratifying to know that you are able to give back to your community and to help others. We can’t always provide monetary donations so giving a little bit of our time to such an incredible event is invaluable.” 

“There is no shortage of ways that people can help us on race day,” says 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!” 

The Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon is also sponsored by Department of Tourism, Flowers Bottled Water, Gatorade, Digicel, Kirk Freeport, Breezes by the Bay Restaurant, Cayman First, Cayman National, CayCompass.com, Conyers Dill and Pearman, Cayman Airways, NCI Services, 106.1 KISS FM, Marriott Grand Cayman Resort, Dolphin Discovery, Ministry of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kelly Holding Ltd, FastSigns, Tropicana Tours, RVC Rehab Services/BioFreeze, Milo, KPMG, Quaker, CUC, RE/MAX Cayman Islands, Scotiabank, Ernst & Young, Caybrew Light, Smoothie King, Harneys, Coca-Cola, KRyS Global and The Final Touch.  

Registration for the 2011 Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay and Kids Fun Run is open online at CaymanIslandsMarathon.com. Walk-in registration can also be done at the Kelly Holding office. For more information email [email protected] or call Bev Sinclair on 345.946.8822.