The Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon, set for 7 Dec., is gearing up to celebrate its 23rd year, building on its growing legacy as one of Cayman’s premier running events.
What started in 2002 with efforts to raise funds for the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps – then a newly formed youth organization – has blossomed into an internationally recognized event, attracting athletes, such as Olympians, and running enthusiasts from around the world.
The event’s inaugural year saw just over 200 participants across four categories – the full marathon, half marathon, team relay and 3K – to now a record-breaking number of almost 1,700 registrations in 2024 across the full marathon, half marathon, and four-person relay.
Beyond the competitive element, the race has a powerful charitable component and each year hundreds of participants have used the event to raise funds for local charities and non-profit organizations that are important to them.
An estimated amount of $500,000 has been raised since the introduction of the fundraising option in the race.
“When we took ownership of the marathon over two decades ago, we never imagined it would become such a significant fixture on the local and international running calendar,” said Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holding Events and Communications, owner and organiser of the event, in a press release.
“It’s incredible to see how it has evolved, not just in terms of participation, but in the lives it touches through charitable contributions and the sense of unity it brings every year. We continue to be amazed each year by the growing interest and participation in the event, and based on current registration trends, we’re on track to surpass last year’s record-breaking numbers,” she added.
