Tropical Relay gets runners going

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 27 March 2018

More than 200 runners of varying abilities and ages showed up for 345 Athletic Club’s 2^nd annual Tropical Relay Challenge sponsored by law firm McGrath Tonner on Sunday, 25 March, showing the event was again a big hit with the Cayman Islands running community.

After moving from last year’s Grand Harbour location, the five-leg race featured a one-mile loop from the Dalmain Ebanks Boxing Gym onto Aspiration Drive, through Liguinea Circle and back to Olympic Way, circling around Lions Pool and back to the gym.

In all, 44 teams competed in the open, corporate and all-female divisions.

345 AC Bulldogs

First to complete the five miles was 345 AC Bulldogs with Victor Magalhaes, who is set to represent the Cayman Islands at the Flow CARIFTA Games in Bahamas over Easter, bringing the baton home in 27 minutes, 11.4 seconds. Solid runs by his teammates Sherlock Brooks, Tiffany Cole, Abraham Whittaker, and Rowan McLean put him in good stead for the finish, which he didn’t disappoint in doing.

Second place in the open division went to FN Sports Sprint in 27:46.6 and another 345AC team, The Skygods were third in 28:04.3.

Harmonic 1

Killian Everard (Harmonic 1) fought to keep off a hard charging Mark Tilley of Red Sail Sports 1 as they neared the finish. In the end, it was as tight as it could get with both teams registering a time of 29:51.5 but Harmonic 1 registering ahead of Red Sail Sports 1 for fourth overall and the top spot in the corporate division. Harmonic 2 (32:36.8) took third among corporate teams.

In the all-female division, 345AC MDR Gurls — Ava Hider, Gill Gordon, Sami Peene, Claudina Morgan and Tiffany Cole — comfortably won in 32:56.5 ahead of Best Pace Scenario (35:35.2) and WNRC-Miles to Martinis (36:46.6).

345 AC MDR Gurls with Ben Tonner of McGrath Tonner.

“It turned out pretty well,” said race organiser Tiffany Cole of 345AC, who also ran two legs. “Overall, it was a good event; no complaints and I’m really happy about that.”

There was a large turnout from newly-registered non-profit, Movers For Live, which had eight teams participating, including the ‘Awesome Boot Campers’ who though were last to cross the line did so as a team and to much encouragement from the other runners waiting at the finish.

Paul Innis said the Movers For Life teams had their own mission on the day and were happy with their representation.

“Our fundamental purpose is to develop, motivate and stimulate members. You have people here who’ve never done an event like this before. So, the intention was to get them out, get them motivated, and let them see that they can do it. That was the aim,” he said.

“This is just one of the segments of Movers. These are all boot camp members who come out on mornings, get fit, get motivated and have fun,” he added.

Runners turn onto Olympic Way.

Meantime, Cole said the event was a good way to continue building the profile of the club, which has three members heading to the CARIFTA Games – Magalhaes, Levi Superville, and Ava Hider.

She added that funds raised go toward helping deserving athletes. “When we do this event, the money will be used to help fund athletes who cannot afford to go off to overseas competitions.”