Inspiring local runners raise thousands for a charity close to their hearts.
George Town, Cayman Islands – 8 May 2024
They say there’s nothing like friends and family to keep you going and that couldn’t be truer for ultra-athlete Kerri Kanuga this holiday weekend as she took on the first event in her “500 miles
from the heart” running challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Cayman Heart Foundation.
Kerri, along with good friends Denis Olarou, John Royle, James Elliott, Gary Hendrikse, Bill
Fleury, Karina McDermot, Russell Smith, and Gill Gordon collectively ran over 250 miles on
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May for the Cayman Heart Foundation, the national charity for
cardiovascular health.
This is the latest charity challenge for Kerri Kanuga, local real estate broker/owner and ultra marathon legend who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes over the years. Kerri has previously been recognized with an award from Frank Flowers, founder of Flowers Sea Swim, as well as receiving the high honour of being called up to the “Knights of the Bald Table”, a noble rank among the valiant League of Legendary Heroes for the St Baldrick’s childhood cancer charity.
“All funds raised from the challenge go directly to the charity”, says Kerri, “My friends and I pay all the expenses for the race ourselves. It certainly helps our spirits on race days when we see people sharing our social updates, cheering us on, and supporting the charities financially.”
Kerri and Denis ran a double circumnavigation of the beautiful island of Grand Cayman – a 107- mile run, or four consecutive marathons, from Starfish Point to Barkers National Park and back again. John Royle joined them for the second leg of 53 miles and various other runners joined them part of the way to cheer them on and keep them going.
The event kicked off at 3am Saturday 4 May and finished as the sun set over Starfish Point on Sunday 5 May. The ultra-athletes ran through rain, blistering sun, and the Batabano Parade.
The famous quote “what does not kill us makes us stronger” is particularly appropriate for these types of challenges. Running an ultra-marathon takes fitness far beyond what is required for a regular marathon requiring remarkable levels of physical endurance and mental stamina in order to keep going through the days and into the night.
Kerri and friends were running to raise funds for the Cayman Heart Foundation, a cause close to Kerri’s heart. Visiting Canada over Christmas she learned that her good friend’s 3-year-old grandson is back on the waiting list for his second heart transplant after the first started to reject. Aware that Cayman also has charity that helps families in similar circumstances, she got in touch with Denis’ wife Ally who is Coordinator at the Cayman Heart Foundation, to see how she could help. After talking to Ally, Kerri learned that heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the Cayman Islands – and more awareness and funds is required to help the CHF with its lifesaving work including free public health screenings, CPR classes, and support for families of babies born with congenital heart defects.
Kerri is going on to represent the Cayman Islands solo in several races all around the world, Badwater 135 (a blistering 135-mile run through Death Valley, USA, in July), at Spartathlon (a 153-mile historic race from Athens to Sparta in Greece in September), and at Daytona 100 (a 100-mile ultramarathon along Florida’s East Coast barrier island in December).
“The Cayman Heart Foundation provides lifesaving work in the community”, said Ally Olarou, Coordinator of the Cayman Heart Foundation. “Heart disease is the biggest cause of premature death in the Cayman Islands and through our community health screenings, and wellness programs, we aim to keep the hearts of those we love beating for longer. On behalf of everyone at the Cayman Heart Foundation we applaud Kerri and all the fantastic ultra runners for bring attention to this important issue and raising funds for this important cause. Together we will save more lives.” She added.
To support the runner’s persons can donate through their fundraising platform at:
https://gogetfunding.com/run-from-the-heart-500-part-one-107-miles-in-grand-cayman/
Individuals interested in learning more about the work of the Cayman Heart Foundation can email [email protected] or call 746-1490.
For additional information about the Cayman Heart Foundation and other initiatives, visit
caymanheartfoundation.ky.
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About the Cayman Heart Fund
The Cayman Heart Fund (t/a Cayman Heart Foundation) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting cardiovascular health in the Cayman Islands. Through education, influence, and support, the Cayman Heart Foundation strives to reduce the incidence and impact of heart disease, ultimately improving the health and well-being of the local population.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ally Olarou, Coordinator
+1 (345) 916 6324 pr 1 (345) 746-1490
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