Editorial Note: Stingray Media is listed by the organisers among the sponsors of the Derek Larner Memorial Run. The Caymanian Journal (TCJ) is an affiliate of Stingray Media Group. The sponsorship played no part in the decision to publish this report or in its contents.

More than 700 people registered for the third Derek Larner Memorial Run on Sunday 25 October, the largest entry in the event's three-year history, according to its organisers. Runners set off in rain from two start lines in George Town for races that all finished at Cricket Square.

The run is held in memory of Derek Larner, described by the organisers as an athlete, coach and mentor, and raises money for Jasmine Palliative & Hospice Care and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS). The organisers' statement, issued on 26 October, did not give a total for the money raised this year, the number of finishers or the registration figures for the first two events against which the record is measured.

The half marathon started at 05:30 from South Terminal Waterfront, and the 5K, Kids' 5K and 10K started from Cricket Square at 06:30, the statement said. All four races finished at Cricket Square, where supporters gathered through the morning as runners came in. Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited was title sponsor for the third time, and the organisers said the field included runners of all ages and abilities.

Family and friends

Laura Larner, Derek Larner's wife, said in the statement that the turnout in wet conditions had been "particularly uplifting". "It was incredibly special to see everyone come together again in Derek's memory for our third event. With more than 700 people registered this year, it means so much to see the run continue to grow. Seeing so many people turn up despite the rain, which Derek would have called ideal running weather, was particularly uplifting," she said.

She said the day's most meaningful moment for her had been watching the couple's daughter take part. "The run brings together so much of what Derek stood for: running, community and giving back. For me, the most special part of the day was seeing Scarlett running with so many of her friends. Derek would have absolutely loved that. Seeing her get to know her dad through the stories people share and the love they still have for him means more than I can really put into words. He cared so much about encouraging young people to get involved in athletics, and it's especially meaningful to see that part of his legacy carrying on."

Larner also linked the event to the two charities it supports. "It's also really important to us that the run helps support people in our own community who are facing a cancer diagnosis. Knowing that we can come together to remember Derek and help other families going through such a difficult time gives the day even greater meaning," she said.

Trevor Murphy, the race director and a friend of Derek Larner, said the growth of the event reflected the impact Larner had on Cayman's running community. "To see more than 700 people register for the third event is incredible. What started as a way to bring people together in Derek's memory has quickly become an event that runners across Cayman look forward to. The support we continue to receive from the community, our sponsors and volunteers is what makes it possible, and we're hugely grateful to everyone who helped bring another successful race day together," he said.

The run was created by Laura Larner and Murphy, according to the organisers, to mark Derek Larner's life, his love of running and what they describe as his lasting contribution to Cayman's athletics community. The organisers said it will return in October 2027.

Results

The organisers published the following podium results for the three timed distances. No results were published for the Kids' 5K.

In the 5K, David Walker won the men's race in 19:05.86, more than 90 seconds ahead of Evans Kibor in 20:37.60, with Theo Tozer third in 20:58.90. Una Walker won the women's 5K in 23:30.05, just over a minute clear of Felicity Westin in 24:39.81, and Ginny Harrison was third in 24:59.42.

Ash Wright took the men's 10K in 39:45.63 from Justin Clarke in 40:14.64 and Caelan Fraser in 40:19.32. Louise Carroll won the women's 10K in 47:54.78, with Lauren Nelson second in 48:38.18 and Rebekah Westin third in 51:03.25.

Christian Henning won the men's half marathon in 1:18:38.52, more than five minutes clear of Andrew Morrison in 1:23:44.41, with Esmond Brown third in 1:24:05.77. Jalene Cruz won the women's half marathon in 1:30:28.32, almost five minutes ahead of Emily Clarke in 1:35:15.70, and Oddy Grullon was third in 1:40:10.37. All times are as published by the organisers, and the winning margins are calculated from them.

Sponsors and charities

Beyond the title sponsor, the organisers listed Tower, Cayman Clinic, BDO, Claritas Legal & Regulatory Experts, Kensington Management Group, CG BritCay, The Vitamin Shoppe, Aon Insurance Managers (Cayman) Ltd., Cricket Square, Jacques Scott Group Ltd., Maples Group, Mourant, Ogier, RF Bank and Trust and Stingray Media among the event's sponsors and partners. Stingray Media's connection to TCJ is set out in the Editorial Note above.

Jasmine provides palliative and hospice care to people with life-limiting illnesses across the Cayman Islands, supporting patients and their families, according to the description supplied by the organisers. CICS is described in the same material as a non-profit organisation working on cancer prevention, education, early detection, financial assistance and community programmes for patients and families affected by cancer.