Kids can join fun marathon effort
Two participants in last year’s Kids Fun Run
(CNS Local Life): Youngsters will get a chance to take part in the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon, set for 4 December, with their own fun run. Event organisers are once again encouraging kids to register and take part in the largest primary school running event on island. Also sponsored by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Kids Fun Run invites young participants to cross the finish line with the adult marathon competitors after a 0.7 mile run from the Government Administration Building.
With a runner’s log that the event provides, the youngsters can work towards completing their own marathon a quarter mile at a time. The marathon log was introduced in 2012 as a way for kids to keep a record of their activity leading up to the fun run. The goal is to have completed a full marathon (26.2 miles) at the end of the run in December.
The first 25.5 miles of the marathon can be done by running, walking, swimming and playing sports. Kids can have their parents, physical education teacher or another adult sign their log verifying that they have completed each mile.
This year, sponsor Milo has donated prizes to encourage children to register and get training early. Every week until the race there will be a random drawing for a prize pack from the list of kids who have already registered.
Co-race director Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holding said that the new weekly prizes have encouraged more parents to register their children. “They have given the kids a little extra push to register earlier and get those runner’s logs filled in,” she said.
The popularity of the Kids Fun Run has grown since its first year in 2007, with just under 300 children taking part last year, and the number of participants submitting completed runner’s logs continuing to grow.
“The best part about the runner’s log programme is getting kids up and moving,” said Kelly. “They’re learning to train for something and staying active; it’s a fun way to motivate and teach discipline.”
The fun run is open to primary school children ages 5 to 12. Registration is free, and students are encouraged to register online and print out an official 2016 runner’s log from the Cayman Islands Marathon website. The registration package includes a runner’s bib, T-shirt and a Milo bag.
The race begins at 10:30am in front of the Government Administration Building, and kids will run to the finish line at Breezes by the Bay where they will receive medals.
Registration for the 2016 Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon, half marathon and team relay is open online, and at the Kelly Holding office.
For more information, email marathon organisers or call Bev Sinclair at 623-8822
