SPORTS

Olympic day run brings people together

This young competitor barely reached the elbow
height of eventual winner Marius Acker behind him.

Ladies winner Lizzie Haines receives her award from
Cayman Islands Olympic Commission Vice President
Lori Powell.

Dave Walker (left) and Marius Acker (right) took the
lead right from the start.

By Eugene Bonthuys

Thursday,  July 7, 2005

The annual Olympic Day run, although a week late, took place on Sunday 3 July. The weather that forced the postponement of the race last time around, stayed away, and the conditions were perfect for some fast 5k times.

Although weather in the Cayman Islands is unlikely to ever hit the ideal temperatures for running, which is said to be around 16 degrees Celsius, the cloudy skies and slight breeze was as good as runners can expect.

The multi-national field took off at a pace, with perennial podium finishers Marius Acker and Dave Walker taking the lead from the word go.

They must have been focusing on the race, and not the race briefing, as they managed to take a wrong turn at the first possible opportunity. Fortunately they were still in sight of the field, and were quickly shouted back onto the right route.

The field soon spread out, with Marius and Dave pulling well clear of the rest of the competitors, and leaving utter devastation in their wake. They matched one another stride for stride, as Marius slowly attempted to wear Dave down before the sprint to the finish. With approximately two kilometres to go, Marius managed to get a gap on Dave, and stretched his stride to open up a clear advantage.

Marius won the event in an official time of 16 minutes and 7 seconds, an unbelievably quick time, but still a slight disappointment to Marius.

“I really wanted to get home in under 16 minutes. I think the wrong turn at the start of the race may have cost me a sub 16 finish.”

Dave came in second, well clear of third place finisher Eugene Bonthuys.
The ladies’ race was won by Lizzie Haines, who came in fourth overall. She only recently returned from England, where she studies at Bristol University, and was still not acclimatised. She therefore struggled in the heat, even more so than the rest of the runners.

At the finish, runners were greeted by cold water and fresh slices of watermelon, the perfect counter for a hot day of running.

It was not only serious competitors who took part in the event, as the focus was on sport for all. Fun runners, walkers and families all participated, to make this a day truly representative of the Olympic spirit.

The President of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee, former Olympic sailor Donald McLean, was at hand to congratulate the athletes, and promote the ideals of the Olympics.

Athletes received prizes that illustrated the global nature of the Olympic games, and certificates to show their participation in an event that is celebrated around the globe. There were also lucky draw prizes on offer, with prizes featuring China dominating, as China will be hosting the next Olympic Games in 2008.

In the race of nations, Great Britain took an easy win, with all three the top ladies, as well as second-place male Dave Walker, representing Great Britain. The other two podium spots in the men’s division were taken by South Africa.

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