Over 1,300 people from all over the world competed in the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon held on Sunday (1).

The largest team came from Canada with 89 runners plus supporters who were raising funds for diabetes.

The race commenced at 5am, an unholy hour for me, from Breezes by the Bay on the George Town waterfront. You could run, walk or even push strollers along the route that ran along South Sound Road up to Prospect Point and back again. You could take part in the full marathon, the half-marathon or a four-person team relay.

The overall marathon winner was Justin Grunewald (28) Minneapolis, MN, USA in a time of 2:42:38. Grunewald won the same race in 2011 and smashed the record then in a time of 2:36:23 that still stands.

Second place overall was Steve Speirs (47) in a time of 2:56:18. Speirs had won the race in 2009 and 2010. Considering he is almost 20 years older than Grunewald his performance is outstanding.

Fastest female was Doan Pham from Houston, TX, USA in a time of 3:42:51, who was seventh overall.

In the half-marathon Dominic Corbin, in a time of 1:21:06, was the winner. The fastest female in the half-marathon was Justin Grunewald’s wife, Gabriele Grunewald, in a time of 1:21:12. She was actually second overall beating third place male Marius Acker who finished 26 seconds behind her.

Many of the athletes taking part praised the race organisers and Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holdings, must be congratulated for heading up her large team of mainly volunteers.

It certainly did run like clockwork and no winding up the key was necessary.

You younger readers won’t understand what I am talking about. Clockwork? What’s that?

AND

Like clockwork, Rotary’s stalwart, the amazing Derek Haines, did yet another Marathon. To date he has raised over $250,000 for Cayman Rotary projects.

He got a police escort along the last half-mile of the race.

Photographs sent to us by Chris Johnson.