With New Year’s resolutions to get healthy still in full force, the Off The Beaten Track 50k ultra-marathon scheduled for Sunday, February 26, 2012 is both helping Cayman’s runners stay fit while also benefiting local community causes.

Half of the run’s proceeds will benefit Facing Africa – a charity dedicated to helping children in Nigeria and Ethiopia who suffer from the face-ravaging disease NOMA, while the remainder will benefit the local organizations Cayman’s ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) and the School of Fitness.

Cayman’s ARK, with the slogan of “Changing lives one life at a time,” endeavors to be a friend to people in unique circumstances of crisis, demonstrates kindness through loving acts of service to those in need, and engages in a wide range of community activities.

The School of Fitness is an innovative school fitness programme designed to assist the public school system with administering the current Physical Education curriculum in addition to expanding access to fitness opportunities in the Cayman Islands to the country’s youth.

“We are delighted that Off The Beaten Track has the opportunity to benefit local causes – both the philanthropic activities of Cayman’s ARK, as well as the innovative School of Fitness programme designed to improve the health and fitness of our country’s youth,” said Ken Krys, Founder and CEO of KRyS Global and the driving force behind the race.

“We hope that corporate sponsors and relay teams come on board to make a real difference for locally and internationally.” he continued.

The third annual Off The Beaten Track will take runners around some of Grand Cayman’s less familiar paths.  The event, which grows in popularity every year, is a 50k ultra-marathon, incorporating beach, dyke roads, and back streets.  This year’s run is planned to be the most challenging yet with potential water crossings, bush trekking, and more.

Having gained a reputation as a unique endurance and orientation test, the ultra-marathon is attracting notice and entrants from around the world and is open to individual participants, as well as relay teams of six.

Runners are encouraged to register online at www.caymanactive.com and to use the Off The Beaten Track Facebook page as a forum to stay up-to-date on race news, as well as find potential team mates.

Current sponsors of the race include KRyS Global, Tower Marketing, Conyers Dill and Pearman, Sunshine Suites Resort, Ritch & Conolly, and Cayman Free Press.

Those interested in sponsoring should contact Lori Halldorson at KRyS Global on 815-8410, or visit the website www.offthebeatentrack.ky for more information.