COVID-19 restrictions that limit crowd gatherings to under 250 people have led to a re-imagining of this year’s Stride Against Cancer, which will take place on Sunday, 30 Jan.
Last year’s popular Stride fundraiser for the Cancer Society attracted more than 2,000, far in excess of what is allowed under the current regulations.
Originally, the Cancer Society had planned to hold Stride with eight staggered starts from Seven Mile Public Beach, but now the charity is asking people to organise their own fun, individual ‘Strides’ and post photos to the charity’s social media.
Cancer Society Operations Manager Jennifer Weber said in an email to the Compass, “We’ve all been living the COVID life for two years now, so I guess we’ve all become accustomed to adapting so we can do things in new ways. As the Cancer Society, we wish we could all gather with 2000+ of our closest friends and enjoy the unified community vibes of Stride as usual, but this year, it’s just not practical to do so.
“The Cancer Society is a charity that helps people impacted by cancer so, above all, we want people to be healthy. We want to do everything we can to reduce the community spread of COVID, so we had to make the difficult decision to not gather together in a large group at Public Beach on 30 Jan.”
Instead, she said, this year will go ahead with a “modified Stride, which means everyone will walk on their own”.
She is inviting people to customise their own Stride, and either do a solo walk/run, or organise one with friends, family or colleagues.
“You can wear your Stride shirts, and walk on the beach on a Sunday afternoon with your family. You can get your friends together, wear your Stride shirts and walk the Mastic Trail. You can get your corporate group together, wear your Stride shirts and walk around the golf course or neighbourhood. Stride any way you like, but please Stride,” she said.
Weber is appealing to the community that has embraced the “Stride vibe” over the years to come out and show their support again this year, as the charity is in need of funds more than ever, and Stride is its largest annual fundraiser, often bringing in up to $100,000.
“Although we can’t all be together,” she said, “we still need everyone to pay their $25 and get their shirt because this is the biggest fundraiser we organise for ourselves and the funds raised help us help others in need.”
Weber said this year’s specially designed t-shirts had a “super cute” new logo with the iconic purple ‘strider’ donning his COVID mask.
Those who register can pick up their t-shirts at the Cancer Society office at 114 Maple Road, near the Cayman Islands Hospital. Stride t-shirts each contain a blank space where participants can write the names of the people to whom they wish to dedicate their walk or run.
“It’s the same great cause,” Weber said, “and you choose your group, location, distance and time.”
A prize draw for all participants will be held on 2 Feb, with the winners being announced by former Miss Cayman Mariah Tibbetts. There will also be prizes for best costume/outfit; best team spirit; people’s choice; and best Stride dance.
To register, visit the Cayman Islands Cancer Society office at 114 Maple Road, through email, online at www.caymanactive.com/stride, or by calling 949-7618.
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