Record numbers take up DG’s 5K Challenge
(L-R, front) Challenge co-chair Jennifer Ahearn, Bryan Hunter of sponsor Appleby, Franz Manderson and YMCA chairman Andrew Johnson at the start
(CNS Local Life): There was a sea of blue T-shirts in George Town Sunday, 30 April, as walkers and runners took part in the 2017 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge. Wearing the event’s signature colour, participants helped raise money for this year’s chosen charity, the YMCA of the Cayman Islands. More than 1,800 people registered for the event to support Deputy Governor Franz Manderson in his annual fitness and fundraising drive, which benefits worthy organisations in the community.
“It’s one of the proudest days of my life to see so many people come and be a part of the solution to challenges we face in the Cayman Islands,” Manderson said. “It’s easy to criticise, but much more productive to come together and help make a change. The YMCA is doing a fantastic job with our young people and I am very pleased to support them in their work.”
With the focus on youth, cash raised by the DG’s 5K Challenge will used by the YMCA to build a ropes challenge course, which provides an alternative to classroom-style learning.
“We are overwhelmed by the support of everybody who has taken part in this event to help us build the course,” said YMCA Chairman Andrew Johnson. “The facility will benefit all the young people of the Cayman Islands, as well as the winder community. We are extremely grateful to Mr Manderson and the DG’s 5K Challenge team, as well as all who participated.”
After a competitive race, the overall fastest male runner was defending champion Dominic Dyer in a time of 17:18, beating his time last year by two seconds. The overall fastest female was Tiff Cole in a time of 19:51. The fastest male and female civil servants were Marco Miranda (21:12) and Sophia Williams (29:17). Group trophy winners, along with the final fundraising total, will be announced at a later date.
This is the fourth DG’s 5K Challenge, encompassing Manderson’s vision to have a healthier, more active and socially engaged civil service.
The inaugural event in 2014 raised $12,500 for Cayman HospiceCare and the 2015 walk/run raised $50,000 for Special Olympics Cayman Islands to help send athletes to the Los Angeles Games. Last year, $60,000 was raised for Cayman Heart Fund to buy a new ambulance that was gifted to the Health Services Authority.
Money is raised from corporate sponsorship and participants’ registration fees.
“This year’s Challenge, both in Cayman Brac last weekend and in Grand Cayman this weekend, has shown what we can achieve when we all come together as one,” Manderson said. “Thank you to everyone who sponsored the event, helped organise it and to everyone came out to take part. I am already looking forward to next year.”
Category: Donations, Running, Service Organisations
