A group of eight locally based runners travelled to Massachusetts to take part in the 130th running of the Boston Marathon.
The marathon, held on 20 April, is recognised as the world’s oldest annual marathon, a key member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and a race with high demand for entry places.
Most participants must meet time qualifications, while others secure their spots by raising at least US$10,000 for official charity partners.
This year, the Cayman contingent included Jalene Cruz, Claire Thomas, Lauren Nelson, Courtney Fung, Oddy Grullon, Marco Miranda, Bill Fleury and Mark Reed.
The 26.2-mile course served as a major milestone for several of these local runners.
For two of the runners chasing the Abbott Six Star Medal – an honour given to those who finish the major marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Boston – this race provided the final piece of the puzzle.
Miranda and Thomas both finished the race to officially earn their six-star distinction.
They join Cruz, Reed, Nelson and Grullon, who had all completed their six-star journeys in previous years.
Following their return to Cayman, the athletes gathered at Smith Barcadere in South Sound dressed in the traditional blue and yellow Boston Marathon celebration jackets to mark their achievement.
Runner’s reflection
Cruz, the 2025 female overall winner of the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon, said that this year’s race marked her third time participating in the event and was particularly meaningful as it was possibly her last.
Although Cruz has qualified for the 2027 Boston Marathon as a result of winning her category in last year’s Cayman marathon, she said, “[This year] marked my third time running this iconic race, and possibly my last, given how tough and unforgiving those hills can be.”
“Boston will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s where I earned my sixth star and completed the Abbott World Marathon Majors in April 2023, an achievement eight years in the making. What made this year truly special was sharing the experience with friends and setting a new marathon personal best of 3:16:49,” she added.
For Cruz, the journey began in New York City’s Marathon in 2015, followed by Chicago in 2016, Tokyo in 2017, Berlin in 2018 and London in 2019.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and then becoming a mother in 2021, she took on the Boston Marathon in 2023, marking her first marathon since motherhood.
For Reed, the Boston Marathon “gives you a real sense of achievement”.
“Every serious marathon runner wants to qualify for and run [in this marathon]. There is so much history and tradition around the race and to be a part of that is something very special.
One aspect he particularly loves is “how much the people of Boston care about the race and how special they make the runners feel”.
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Congratulations to all eight runners completing a really tough 26 miles and especially to the six who completed the six star challenge.