making their mark
For adventurous marathoners, ‘run-cations’ are the ultimate goal
AS the official shouted “3-2-1! go,” nearly a thousand international and local runners sprinted off the starting line with “The Final Countdown” blaring over the speaker system. In the sultry darkness, I could feel sweat dripping down my shins with each stride. It was 5 a.m. and already nearly 80 degrees on a breathless December morning in Grand Cayman for the 13th annual Intertrust Cayman Island marathon, half marathon and four-person relay ( caymanislandsmarathon.com).
I tucked behind a small group, following their shadows as we zigzagged through dimly lit town streets. My heavy breathing filled the hot, humid air. My tank top and shorts were soaked within the first half-mile.
The previous day, I snorkeled the clear turquoise water and swam with stingrays on the Stingray City Tour run by Red Sail Sports ( redsailsports.com) — and even kissed one, which Camanians say brings seven years good luck. After the race, I planned to rehydrate at West Indies Wine Company in Camana Bay ( camanabay.com).
Back on the course, I had reached the marathon’s turnaround point and was ready for some rum. But the waters and energy drinks, offered every mile, did the job to replace electrolytes. I settled in, running in the middle of (carfree) West Bay Road to avoid the sloping sides. The calm sloshing of the Caribbean Sea was interrupted by the clunky foot- step of an approaching racer who blew past me.
Cheers erupted from a half dozen people pedaling stationary bikes along the side of the road at an aide station. A woman standing next to them held a sign saying, “I don’t know you, but keep going! You’re doing great!”
The Intertrust race has grown from 150 runners in 2002 to over 1,200 this year, with overseas participants steadily multiplying. And Intertrust is not alone. “There has been a significant shift in running from once being a single, solitary sport to becoming an inclusive, social way to stay fit, have fun — and see the world,” says Rich Harshbarger, CEO of Running USA.
Marathon tourism has become big business: London’s annual marathon reports scores of runners from abroad, while in Tel Aviv, 2,000 foreigners attend its marathon each February. Organizations such as Mara- thon Tours and Travel ( marathontours.com), Marathon Adventures ( marathon-adventures. com) and Polar Running Adventures ( npmarathon.com) offer run-cations around the globe. They manage travel logistics, craft local experiences and offer the opportunity to hoof it through exotic locales during events like the Great Wall Marathon in China, Antarctica Marathon and Easter Island Marathon — with hiking Machu Picchu as an optional extension to the race. Prices can range from $2,000 to $10,000.
As daybreak arrived on Grand Cayman, lavender skies hovered over the rippling sea and palm tree silhouettes came into focus. I spotted a blonde ponytail bobbing in the distance and felt a surge of energy to pick up pace. My feet squished in soaked shoes. With two miles to go, I caught and passed her.
I accelerated at the 12.1 mile marker to keep up with a tall competitor as we raced back into town. As I ran past a crowd cheering on a corner, a teenage girl yelled. “You’re the third woman.” Holy cow! I dug deep, desperate for the finish and sprinted into the final turn and across the finish line. The loudspeaker blasted: “We have our third place woman in the half mara- p thon!” I guess its true what they say about a good-luck kiss from a stingray.