Kanuga notches another ultramarathon
Kerri Kanuga at the finish of the Keys 100
(CNS Local Life): Ultramarathoner Kerri Kanuga, representing the Cayman Islands, finished first in the masters age group and fourth among female athletes at the 11th annual Keys 100, held 19-20 May 2018 in the Florida Keys. Out of the 175 athletes who started the race, 143 finished the course.
Kanuga finished 25th overall, clocking a personal best of 22 hours and 8 minutes, which she attributed to her new coach, John Fitzgerald of Carmichael Training Systems, stated a press release.
She said of the experience, “It was a tough race for me – it rained for almost the entire 22 hours and sometimes sideways. I prefer hot and humid so these were not my conditions and a big motivation during the race was getting dry again.
“The Keys100 this year was a test of my character due to these conditions. I felt strong throughout, which is down to a year of being with my new coach. So, the race was a fantastic achievement and a good training ground for Badwater 135 in Death Valley this July, which is my next challenge.”
Kanuga is a “well-known local athlete, whose training exploits are often noted by locals and tourists alike as she pounds the roads and the beach to vary her fitness regime”, stated the press release.
She said she is always grateful for her friends who train with her including Karina McDermot and Bill Fleury. “There are not too many people in the world willing to roll out of bed on a Sunday and run 20 or 30 miles with me.”
Kanuga ran her first marathon in 2010 and completed her first 100-mile race in 2015. She has since completed many ultramarathons and 11 races of 100 miles or more. She has represented the Cayman Islands in many events, including the Brazil 135 (she completed the 160 mile version), the Mt Gaoligong Ultra 100 in China, Marathon des Sables in Morocco and Badwater 135 (twice).
This year Kanuga is stepping up her challenges. She said she is honoured to be running July’s Badwater 135 for the third time (the toughest foot race on the planet, according to National Geographic) and then she will prepare for her first-ever 200-mile race, the Tahoe200, in September. On her motivation for taking on this next race, she explained she has always wanted to go to Lake Tahoe and noted “the pure challenge of a mountainous course”, combined with it being the longest race she will have ever run.
Kanuga races to raise money for the St Baldrick’s Foundation, which specialises in childhood cancer research. September is Childhood Cancer Month and Kanuga said she hopes to raise funds and awareness for all of the children fighting this disease.
Phil Reed, also representing Cayman, finished second in the 50-mile event at Keys 100, with a time of seven hours and 21 minutes.
To support Kanuga or the St Baldrick’s Foundation, email kerri@tridentproperties.ky
Category: Community, Fundraiser, Running, Sports
