Annual Cayman Islands Marathon This Weekend

The 2025 Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon takes place this weekend on Sunday, 7 December, starting at 4:30am on Seafarers Way. With registration numbers tracking strong again this year, organisers are asking for the public’s support and cooperation with this event which raises funds for the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps and the Cancer Society as well as other organisations such as Jasmine, Crisis Centre, CCMI, Alex Panton Foundation, NCVO, Lighthouse School and Red Cross.

At the time of writing, organisers confirm 115 full marathoners, 1050 half marathon entrants and 95 teams entered for the relay. In addition, about 100 persons are expected to sign up the day before the race. Organisers will also be welcoming some 300 visitors to the island between race participants and their families and supporters.

Organisers are asking for the public’s assistance during the race by keeping traffic along the race route to a minimum, and in particular those people who live along the route are being asked to secure their dogs in their yards and turn on their Christmas lights (if they have any) from 4:00am on the morning of 7 December. There will be police support and presence on the roads and a few road closures to facilitate the safety of participants. Other measures put in place include EMTs and an ambulance stationed at the start/finish line, Red Cross volunteers at various points on the course and a fully staffed and stocked medical tent manned by sponsor Health City Cayman Islands.

The race starts on Seafarers Way in front of Bayshore Mall and goes through South Church Street, South Sound and Prospect Point Road, after which runners turn around and go back through South Sound and then onto Walkers and Hospital Roads, Elgin Avenue, Edward and Fort Streets and back to Bayshore Mall.

Late registration for new sign-ups and packet pick up for registered participants will take place at the race’s new official packet pick location, Governors Village, on Saturday, 6 December between 9am and 5pm. This is also an opportunity for participants to ask the race directors any questions they may have about race day.

The Kids Fun Run, sponsored by MILO along with Cimboco and Chicken! Chicken! will start at 10:30am at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue and end at the adult start/finish line in front of Bayshore Mall. This event is free for students between the ages of 5 and 11 years old and 200 kids are registered at the time of writing.

The level of corporate support for the event continues to grow each year as companies and organisations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Ogier, Ernst & Young, Health City Cayman Islands, Maples and Deloitte pay for staff to participate.

The top male and female full marathon winners will receive Breitling timepieces courtesy of Kirk Freeport as part of their prize. The top three male and female marathoners and half marathoners in the 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over age categories will also be awarded for their achievements while the top three teams in the corporate, all-male, all-female and mixed relay competitions will receive awards sponsored by CUC. 

Volunteers are competing too as the popular Cayman Airways Water Stop Challenge happens once again. The most enthusiastic, encouraging, entertaining water stop, as voted for by the participants, will win free airline tickets courtesy of the national airline.

Each year thousands of dollars are raised for various charities and non-profit organisations via the Cayman Islands Marathon as many participants choose to run for a cause and solicit online donations from friends and family members while others simply add a donation while registering. The 2024 event raised over USD35,000 and this year approximately USD 27,800 has been raised to date.  

“This year’s registration figures point to continued growth, even as the race enters its 23rd year,” said Co-Race Director Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holding Ltd., owner and organiser of the event. “For many runners, the marathon carries deep personal significance, whether it’s marking a milestone, honouring a loved one, overcoming adversity, or raising awareness for an important cause. These stories are an integral part of the event, and we’re excited to hear and share some of them.”

 Marathon Stories

• Caymanian Cynthia Hew is back on the road for the half marathon after several years of low mileage due to injuries and is happy about it.
• Dena Prater from Spring Valley, California is celebrating her 50^th birthday and her 20^th half marathon.
• Edward Wroblewski and Carolyn McCutchen from Indiana (USA) are part of the Westfield Running Club who have chosen Cayman as a destination run. They will join 11 other club members on the streets of George Town.
• Sharon Davies (CAY) had both hips replaced 10 years ago and then walked her first half marathon and continued on to do several more. Last November, she had both knees replaced, and now she’s back in training, aiming to finish the half marathon.
• For four years, Charlotte Dahan, Madison Black and Isabella Fantasia (CAY), have run the Cayman half marathon together, sharing the same pre-race dinner, same jokes, the same promise to get through 13.1 miles side by side. Running for the Red Cross, they turned their friendship into something bigger than the race itself. Now 17 years old, this December marks the girls’ final run before college sends them in different directions, but the tradition they built in Cayman will stay with them wherever they go.
• Deo Jaravata from Granada Hills, CA has completed a marathon on all seven continents and in the 50 United States. Cayman will be his 100^th country.
• Steven Tanugraha didn’t necessarily come to Cayman looking to take up running but over the past five years he’s found home, connection, and a circle of friends through this sport.

“With this possibly being my last Cayman Marathon, I’ll take this chance to soak in the moment and thank the incredible community that has been my home away from home for the last five years, along with all the great friends I’ve made along the way,” said Steven.

• Sandra Dixon (CAY) will be participating in her third Cayman Islands Marathon but this year after completing two half marathons, she’s taking on the full marathon for the first time. Training for the full has tested Sandra both physically and mentally, she said, but it has also shown her what she’s truly capable of. With the support of others, she’s pushing past limits she never thought she could. Her mission is simple: to finish the race.
• Surena King from Maryland (USA) is running the Walkers Cayman Islands Half Marathon in memory of her beloved sister, Terveer.

“She was my cheerleader for over 10 years running the Cayman Marathon. She loved the island, the people, and the sister time with me. She loved riding her bike while I ran. Most races, if allowed, she would ride beside me. I’m so grateful for this beautiful island where we shared years of memories.”

Terveer lost her battle with juvenile diabetes on 22 November 2024 but her energy, encouragement, and love live on in every step Surena takes.

• Katrin Schild (CAY) will be running her very first full marathon this December in support of the NCVO’s Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home, where she is the care manager.

“Last year, I ran my very first half marathon. We had a resident who was a track runner, and even after he aged out of our care, he continued running and competing in races on the island. His love for running really inspired me. I started running 5km in the mornings with Run Club Cayman and quickly decided that I would train for the half marathon. After finishing the race I saw our former resident who had finished well ahead of me. We took a picture together and I still remember his words, “Well done, Miss!”

Katrin admits she feels some apprehension about taking on the full marathon, both physically and mentally, but her motivation comes from the example she wants to set for the residents she works with. She constantly encourages them to dream big, believe in themselves, and give their best effort. For Katrin, running the marathon is a way to live out those values, showing that with dedication, hard work, and trust in your own abilities, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible.

•  Wojciech Machnik of Poland is on a mission to complete a marathon in 249 countries around the world. He’s completed 182 and Cayman will be number 183. Follow his progress at 249challenge.com.
• John Hauber’s purpose for travelling from Carmel, Indiana (USA) to Cayman is twofold. He will be participating in the half marathon but also using the opportunity to meet the president of the Nanyuki Kenya Runners Club. Hauber has sponsored the club for many years and will be meeting President Joseph Mugekenyi (KEN) for the first time. Mugekenyi will be competing in the full marathon and is expecting to run a sub-2:20:00 race. The Cayman Islands is one of a few countries where American and Kenyan citizens can travel with just a passport, and so it will be an exciting reunion and celebration for the two men.
• Samantha Bennett (CAY) moved to the island in June from Dubai. She and her friend, who still lives in Dubai, promised each other they would run another marathon together before the end of the year and so the two have been virtually training together.
• Amy DeClue from Greenville, South Carolina (USA) ran the Cayman half marathon ten years ago and is back again simply because “10 years is too long!”
• Ashleigh Ebanks (CAY) says she started running last year when she wasn’t in the best place mentally. She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder four years ago and has been battling it every day since.

 “Running is something I never thought I’d be able to do because of my health and the challenges I face with it, but it’s been the one thing that has helped me start to heal in more ways than one.'

After seeing so many people participate last year, Ebanks was inspired to set a personal goal of completing the half marathon this year with her best friend despite all her health woes.

“I’m running for myself, for those who can’t, for those who haven’t had the chance yet and for my son, Jonah, who was born premature during the height of COVID-19 and has shown and taught me resilience. I’d like to show him that anything is possible once you put your mind to it.”

•  Thomas Neuert (GER) lived and worked in Cayman for nine years and ran his first half marathon in Cayman in 2008. Now he is back for the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman’s celebration of its opening 20 years ago in December 2005. He is excited about the reunion and running the half marathon again.
• Melissa Semenek (CAY) is the co-founder of The Grey Area, a non-profit organisation that aims to support those affected by brain tumours, brain cancer, seizures, and related brain health conditions. She is participating in the half marathon because she wants to be there to support the other NPOs as well as her own.
• Brita Gill (CAY) participated in her first Cayman Islands Marathon 15 years ago during a challenging period in her life. On race morning, nothing seemed to be going her way; even her iPod died at the starting line. She joked to a friend, “Some races are for racing, and some are just for running,” expecting a tough day ahead. Instead, she surprised herself with her fastest time ever, a moment that filled her with pride and turned the race into something deeply meaningful.

 Brita has loved the event ever since and is grateful for this race which became a personal turning point. As she trains for this year’s half marathon, she says she’s simply happy the race is still here because it continues to hold a special place in her heart.

•  Christopher Brett Young (CAY) will run as part of the Walkers Running four-person relay team and is celebrating his tenth consecutive year as part of this winning team.
• For Danryl Franz Sarmiento (CAY), this year marks his final Cayman Islands Marathon as he prepares to return to his home country to pursue a new opportunity.
  
  “Being part of this incredible event over the past five years has been such a rewarding experience. From the excitement at the start line to the camaraderie along the course, every moment has been unforgettable. Thank you, Cayman Marathon, for giving me not just the challenge of the run, but also the joy of being part of this wonderful community. Though this is goodbye for now, I carry with me the memories, friendships, and lessons from every mile. Until next time, keep running strong.”
• Jennifer Kristensen (CAY) will be walking the half marathon this year to celebrate being cancer-free.

 “Just over one year ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through six months of aggressive chemotherapy followed by surgery. Today, I’m grateful to say I am cancer free.”

Jennifer will be walking in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation, whose incredible programmes she says carried her through her journey. Their support, alongside with Cancer Society made an enormous difference for her.

“I also walk for my son. He’s been through so much with me during treatments, and I want to show him that his mom is healthy again.”

• John Royle (CAY) is using the Cayman half marathon as a training run for a 100-mile race next year.
• Sarah Burton and Jess Leblond (CAY) are walking the half marathon together to celebrate 20 years of living in the Cayman Islands.
• Craig Derbyshire (UK) is travelling to Cayman to participate in the full marathon. He says if he likes it, he’s going to move here!
• Ralph and Anna Muheim from Switzerland moved to the Cayman Islands on 1 December 2025 and are both celebrating this life change by running the half marathon.
• Ryan and Amanda Crockett from Hilton Head, South Carolina (USA) honeymooned in the Cayman Islands 24 years ago and are back to celebrate their 24^th anniversary and run the half marathon.

Online registration for the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon closes at midnight on Wednesday, 3 December but late registration and packet pick up for the 2025 Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon, half marathon, four-person relay and Milo Kids Fun Run will take place at Governors Village on Saturday, 6 December from 9am to 5pm.

The Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon is also sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Trade Development, Health City Cayman Islands, CG BritCay, Cayman Airways, Gatorade, CUC, Compass Media, Milo, Netclues, Wata, FastSigns, Governors Village, Massive, Credit Union, Cayman Physiotherapy, Kelly Holding Events & Communications, Powerade, Caybrew, Mike’s Ice, Kirk Freeport, Cost U Less, What’s On Cayman, Hopscotch Productions, Cimboco, Chicken! Chicken!, McAlpine and Marshall’s Rent-A-Car.

For more information about the race, call 623.8825, email info@CaymanIslandsMarathon.com or visit CaymanIslandsMarathon.com. Follow @CaymanMarathon on Facebook and Instagram for news and updates.