Sunday March 1 2015 marked the 6th annual Off The Beaten Track 50k ultra-marathon and relay which took place throughout Cayman in areas of unchartered territory.
The race takes participants ‘off the beaten track’ through brush, dyke roads, over wetland and even fences. This year runners started off at Dolphin Cove and wound through West Bay, Seven Mile Beach, George Town, South Sound, Prospect and back through industrial park to the finish line at George Town Yacht Club.
A record number of participants took part, including 66 relay teams of six and 19 solo runners who took on the full 50k.
Kenneth Krys, race founder and Executive Chairman of KRyS Global, said this year’s event was better than ever. “Not only did we have a record number of runners register, but we received overwhelming support from our sponsors and volunteers, and without them this race would not be possible,” Krys said. “This year’s route, designed by Derek Larner, took runners through areas of the island less traveled which gives this race that extra challenge. The route is only released a week in advance and we purposely have minimal race markings for the runners, as figuring out where the route goes next is part of the fun.”
The first solo male to finish was David Lim at 4:32:21, who also won in 2014. The fastest solo female runner, for the third consecutive year, was Helki Weber, finishing at 5:03:44.
2nd place male and female solo runners were Andrew Keast 4:40:33 and Justine Plenkiewicz 5:50:56. 3rd place went to Ronan O’Keefe 4:56:14 and Jalene Cruz 5:52:02.
The winning male relay team, as well as the overall winning team, went to Mourant, finishing in an impressive 3:35:55. Other top relay winners were Girls in Limbo, fastest female team; Winston’s Warriors, mixed relay team; and The Ritz Carlton Furious 7, corporate relay team.
“This year’s beneficiaries of the proceeds raised are Meals on Wheels Cayman Islands and Facing Africa,” Krys said. “We were able to raise US $16,500 this year and we are honoured to be able to donate to these deserving charities.”
The event could not have taken place without the help and support of the organizing team, 55 volunteers, Red Cross Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands Cycling Association. “We are utterly grateful for the time and effort given by all of our volunteers this year, with a special mention going out to our Cycling Sweepers, who shadowed the runners for the entire course” commented Race Director, and Global Head of Marketing at KRyS Global, Anna Keating.
KRyS Global is the main organizer and sponsor of the annual event, along with the other sponsors for 2015 including, Major Sponsors: Brown Rudnick, Tower, Mourant Ozannes and CML TV; Water Stop Sponsors: Campbells , Ritch & Connolly and DHL along with many Goodwill sponsors and supporters.
For more information visit www.offthebeatenttrack.ky
Cayman Compass – March 2, 2015
Radio Cayman – March 5, 2015
Cayman Compass – March 9, 2015
