Huge Success at 13th annual Breeze Fusion Walk/Run

Coming off a record setting 2018, the Breeze Fusion 5K Walk/Run was back in action on Saturday, November 3rd in Grand Cayman helping to raise funds for the NCVO, the Leo Club of Cayman Brac, Childhood Cancer Awareness & Education Campaign, and Central Scranton Community Committee (Park & Playground).

A very pleasant and cool morning breeze greeted some 219 risers for the Breeze Fusion 5k, organized by the Radio Cayman team. The race saw 113 Walkers and 106 Runners registered for the 13th annual event. And for the first time this year, a 10k run was implemented which saw 41 people signing up to run the course with 26 athletes completing the event.

Norma McField, Director of Radio Cayman exclaimed afterwards that it was yet another awesome event and she thanked the participants for supporting the causes that will benefit from the funds. She said that next year “we hope that it will grow even more, with increase participants and sponsorships”.

Radio Cayman’s Deputy Director Paulette Connolly-Bailey said “It was a beautiful day with the rain holding up until the end. She said, it was so delightful to see parents walking with their children, especially sons and dads participating as a bonding day for them. Thanks to the sponsors we had great food and fruits and drinks.” For us to survive thirteen years of going and going and giving, it really makes you feel grateful when you see the sponsors receiving their cheque for what you worked so hard to achieve, it was just fabulous.” Mrs. Connolly-Baily said.

Most of the participants registered to wear the timing chip for a 6.15am start for the 5k & 10k run whilst the walkers began their journey at 6:30pm.

At the front was a good tussle between Cayman's finest middle distance runners Michael Smikle, Levi Superville, Tiffany Cole and Leo Schilling who competed at the 2019 Cayman Islands Carifta Games in April and/or hope to do so again when the competition takes place in Bermuda next year.

For the 5K distance, 400 and 800m middle distance runner, 19 year old Michael Smikle clocked in first winning the 5k in a time of 17:45.25; Leo Schilling came in second with a time of 19:17.79 and the first female was Tiffany Cole who had a hard time but pulled through clocking in 3rd place for the 5k in a time of 19:29.09.

Paul Henry led the pack in the 10K run in a time of 38 mins 25.61 seconds; Wes Heistand followed in second place with a time of 38 minutes 45.19 seconds; In 3rd place was Randy Andrew and the 1st woman to cross the 10k finish line was Carol McKensie. McKenzie place 6th overall in a time of 48:34.59.

The event organized by Radio Cayman and Breeze FM since inception in 2007, has supported the National Council for Voluntary Organizations (NCVO), an independent, non-profit, charitable organization which engages in projects to meet the ever-growing needs of the community. Funds from this year’s Grand Cayman race also benefitted the Central Scranton Community Committee (Park and Playground).

The 13th Annual event was made possibly thanks to the numerous contributors including Staff, Race Caribbean, CaymanActive.com and volunteers, including PWD, Lions Club of Tropical Gardens, RCIPS, Red Cross, John Gray H.S. Band, Fosters and Race Caribbean, along with the generous support of the corporate community, with Gold sponsor: Yello; Silver sponsors Subway and Cayman National Bank; and Bronze sponsors Dasani, Green Machine, RVC, Cayman Water Company and Roma United.

The Radio Cayman team will now prepare for the 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, November 30th on Cayman Brac.