Sports
Cayman Runners Scoot ThroughNova Scotia
The CaymanIslands Hash House Harriers in Nova Scotia recently. The team,also known as the Rum Runners finished 20th overall in the weekendrace. It was the best ranking in team history. This was theirfifth run in Canada.
A memberof the Rum Runners holds up a mug in joyous celebration.
The Cayman Islands Hash House Harriers (a.k.a.,Cayman Rum Runners) finished 20th in the 24-hour Cabot Trail Relayheld Sunday, May 26. It was the team's best finish in five attemptsat Canadian long distance running.
The result was even more remarkable as only11 runners were available for the 17 legs, which meant that sixof the fittest individuals, including Derek Haines and Roger Davies,had to run two legs each.
The race takes place over a weekend in CapeBreton at the eastern tip of Nova Scotia. Having competed lastyear, the team knew the hilly course and the course's ocean views,and was looking forward to some more excellent hospitality.
Planning for the event began in January,but over the following several months, several potential runnersdropped out, leaving a rather depleted team a week before therace.
They knew they could depend on Tara Hollandand Andrew Elliott from Toronto and the United Kingdom, respectively.
But, much reliance would be made on someof the veterans who had taken part in previous races. They allproduced wonderful efforts when it mattered.
The weather forecast was rather mixed, andlead runner Phil Sutcliffe was greeted by cold rain at the 7 a.m.start.
However, half way through his leg heavenscleared and the rest of that day's race took place in bright,blustery conditions.
This year 65 teams raced, a record. Legstwo and three in the parish of St. Anne's saw Roger Yeomans andDerek Haines keep the mid-table position, and they both amusedthe crowd by wearing tartan "tams," in keeping withthe area.
Roger was interviewed by the local paperand managed some excellent public relations work for the CaymanIslands.
Leg four saw Mark Hydes make his debut.All went well until two-thirds into the leg when he turned a cornerand saw Cape Smokey --- the biggest, longest hill he had everseen. From nearly two miles from sea level to over 1,000 feet,Mark did a remarkable job and finished his leg strongly.
Next, came John Elliot through the villageof Ingonish. He managed to shed a few layers of clothing as theafternoon wore on, but was easily identified by his bright greencap, which stayed on throughout.
Tara Holland then took Leg Six and enjoyeda tousle with two other lady runners before finishing second ladyon the leg.
Last year the Cayman team threw a rum cakeand punch party at the end of this same leg. It went over wellwith all the competitors.
The early Saturday evening legs went toRoger Davies and Melissa Shaw, who were both experienced runnerswith several previous races behind them.
Leg Nine, known as North Mountain, is anotherfierce climb, but Tony Keeley knew the route well. He managedto go one better than last year by winning the leg. This was theteam's best performance on an individual leg, ever.
The next runner was Graham Hampson, whotackled MacKenzie Mountain (known as the Snake to locals). Thiswas a seemingly never-ending 1,100-foot climb.
Throughout the night it was the repeat runners,Tara, Derek Graham and Andrew Elliott who kept thing going. Mentionshould also be made of Mark Hydes. He recovered to gain fifthplace on his second run. On Sunday morning the sun was out togreet the runners on the last two legs. Tony Keeley had been giventhe task of bringing the team home, and he finished his leg in12th place in the town of Baddeck.
The team was given 20th place overall ina time of 22hrs, 2 minutes, 56 seconds. This is by far the besttime the team has ever recorded in Canada in five attempts.
The post-race celebration took place inthe Baddeck Arena with over 1,000 people sitting down to a locallobster lunch. It was then time to pack up, check out and hadfor Sydney for some well-deserved rest and an early morning flightout.