Grand Cayman (GIS): The Deputy Governor Hon Franz Manderson has announced today that the annual DG’s 5k event will be postponed until 2021.

Originally scheduled for April 2020, the event was initially postponed when Covid-19 arrived in the Cayman Islands. With the on-going Covid-19 global pandemic, the Cayman Islands continues to navigate public health concerns, reopening of borders safely, helping the economy recover, and getting people back to work. Given the current situation, and with the current gathering regulations capped at five hundred (500) people, the Deputy Governor has made the decision to postpone this year’s event until 2021. The annual event generally counts over 2000 runners, walkers, and supporters of all ages.

The Civil Service will continue its charitable efforts this year through the CIG Cares initiative which has been providing assistance to the Needs Assessment Unit’s grocery voucher programme, and was expanded in November and December to include charities that have been selected by the Civil Service. CIG Cares aims to help ensure that all residents are able to have access to food. With the ongoing impact of Covid-19, many families are choosing between what responsibilities they can meet and oftentimes food purchase is sacrificed. By donating to CIG Cares, Civil Servants will help with this great need. For more information on CIG Cares visit: www.exploregov.ky/community-covid19

The DG’s 5K Challenge 2020 theme Helping Today – Protecting Tomorrow will remain when the event returns in 2021, as well as chosen charities which include the Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS), The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association of the Cayman Islands (ADACI) and The MS Foundation of the Cayman Islands.

The Deputy Governor selected these charitable organisations because their programmes have a wide reaching tangible effect on the community.

“We are saddened to postpone the highly anticipated DG’s 5k Challenge 2020, as we know these charities are always in need of the community’s support, but we have all agreed the safety of the community must take precedence. We are excited about next year however, and the planning committee is still working hard to deliver the very best event in 2021. Together, we really can help today and protect tomorrow,” said Deputy Governor, Mr Franz Manderson, Cert Hon, JP.

Tentative dates have been set for the community to mark in the calendars:

• Sunday April 11, 2021 – Cayman Brac
• Sunday April 18, 2021 – Little Cayman
• Sunday April 25, 2021 – Grand Cayman

Notifications for the opening of registration will be announced in early 2021.