Hard effort displayed by runners at 2024 Cayman Marathon

Seaford Russell Jr | Cayman Compass | 1 December 2024

Before Sunday morning’s sunrise, a record number of runners took to the streets under drizzling skies for the 2024 Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon with excitement felt throughout the entire course.

The race, which welcomed participants from every continent, some of whom came with profound stories, featured many champions among the 1,500-plus athletes who took part in the relay, half or full marathon.

However, four esteemed athletes kicked in to high gear to claim the male and female titles for the two main races.

Crossing the line first was half-marathon winner Teddy Mercer, finishing at one hour, 24 minutes and 52 seconds. Six minutes and 15 seconds later, Michelle Vinton finished as the first female for the half in a personal best time of 1:30:37.

“I feel very fortunate. There are some excellent and really competitive racers on island and it’s just a really nice feeling to have a really nice race day and win the half marathon,” Mercer told the Compass after the race.

Mercer noted his steady pace through the 13-mile route, but humbly said that winners are not just those with gold medals.

“I want to make a special mention of the Wednesday Night Running Club. At the end of the day, running is a team sport and it’s a real privilege to run with some of my mates,” he said. “This run is about the vast majority of people out there running, not necessarily about the one who crosses the line first.”

Vinton, who exceeded her own expectations, gave credit to those on the sidelines, who she said gave her inspiration.

“I didn’t feel like I had it this year,” said Vinton, who won in 2022. “All the people on the road as well makes this event what it is – spectators cheering, the music and the stops really help out with water and Gatorade. It’s just a great community event.”

‘This is a pretty short race’
Someone who looked like he barely cracked a sweat when crossing the finish line was Max Jolliffe, who won the full marathon.

“The last race that I ran was a 240-mile race. I typically run trail ultramarathons, mostly above a 100-mile distance, so this is a pretty short race for me, relatively, but I pushed it really hard,” Jolliffe told the Compass.

Jolliffe, who is visiting Cayman for the first time, was brought here by the Palm Heights Athletics Club specifically to run the marathon – mission accomplished for the California resident with a time of in 2:42:27.

He said racing against himself was all that he focused on – a strategy that saw him finish nearly 10 minutes ahead of second-place marathoner Aaron Gilliam.

“I didn’t really have any plans, or expectations coming in. I just wanted to put forth a hard effort and test my fitness to see where I’m at, and I’m happy to come away with the win, but I was just showing up to put down a hard effort for myself.”

He added that he plans to come back for next year’s event, saying, “It’s my first time and I already want to come back … this place is unreal, so beautiful”.

‘I want her to grow up and be proud of me’
Similar to Jolliffe, Jalene Cruz, the fastest female marathon runner, said she was striding and not worrying about who was ahead, beside or behind her.

“I just ran my own race. I didn’t plan on winning. That wasn’t on my mind because I’m not really at my best, but I just ran with my heart and I’m so happy with the results,” Cruz said after finishing at 3:25:36.

Though she had the same approach, she is no stranger to Cayman and its marathon. In fact, Cruz has been running the islands’ marathon since 2014. She was last year’s half-marathon winner.

Now that she has a daughter, she said her motivation to prevail through tough tasks is more prevalent than ever. The Cayman Islands marathon is just one of three 26-mile runs she completed this year.

“I did Boston in April. I did Chicago in October, and now Cayman, so I just kept up my training and fitness. I’m just more determined. I have more motivation to run stronger because of my little one,” she said.

“I want her to grow up and be proud of me, thinking that her mom is out there doing all this hard stuff, and I want her to follow in my footsteps.”