The LASCO Cayman Adventist Annual 10K run/walk was held on 23 Nov. this year, continuing a decades-long tradition of promoting health and fitness within the community while raising funds for a large-scale youth camporee – a gathering of scouting units.
The race, which promotes the message that individuals can take control of their health outcomes in terms of both longevity and quality of life, started on Hinds Way on Walkers Road and concluded at the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
This year’s race drew 125 participants – a smaller turnout than in pre-COVID-19 years following the 2020 pandemic pause – but a notable increase from last year’s reduced-scale event.
This event, which has a history dating back to its inaugural run in June 1990 under the name ’10K Run for Youth and Health’ with Pastor Franklyn Grant as the original director, has historically attracted international runners from countries including Jamaica, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, the USA and Canada.
The action kicked off at 4:30pm with the walkers, followed by the runners at 4:45pm. The children’s races followed at 5pm, featuring distances of quarter mile for ages 4-6, half-mile for ages 7-10, and one mile for ages 10-13.
In the runner’s category, Kevin Sumner took the first-place title, displacing last year’s winner, Paul Williams, who finished second.
For the female runners, Maria Leonce secured the top spot, followed by Sheree Riley.
The walking competition saw a familiar face at the front, with Keeble Knight placing first for an impressive 15th time in the event’s history.
The second male walker was Robert Thompson, while the top female walker was Vashti Lawrence, followed by Elma Brown.
Beyond the finish line, the event serves a vital purpose as proceeds from the race will benefit the Atlantic Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists Youth Camporee.
This event, which will be hosted in Cayman next July by the parent organisation, the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, is expected to host more than 400 attendees from the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands.
