Off The Beaten Track 2019

An overcast morning at 5am left one wondering if the weather would be kind to the 26 Ultra-Distance runners geeing up for the 50k of mixed terrain around Grand Cayman, and of course the 60 relay teams making up the vast majority of participants for this year’s OTBT.

Leg 1 – The race started from Patrick’s Island at 6am with runners weaving their way along the streets of Prospect and cutting through to Admiral’s Avenue where they came across the first bit of bush and a little mud, which isn’t too much of a problem ordinarily but it was still dark when they reached so one had to tread carefully so early in the run. Out on to Shamrock Road, passing Grand Harbour and heading down South Sound where they were directed at the water stop to follow the coast line for a while, around a couple of fences, over a pallet and back on to the road until a turn right on to an old dyke road, which was not too pleasant under foot but when you eventually exited, you would work your way to Linford Pierson Hwy where the leg 1 runners would hand their batons over.

The race was led by Abraham Whittaker ‘345Athletic Club’s A-Team’ (sponsored by Harneys) who completed the course in 38:20 and over a minute ahead of next runner, Ben Strangeway of ‘WNRC Scrambled Legs and Achin’ and Nick Rogers of ‘Bitfits’ a very creditable third. The first solo runner was Enrico Carmassi who passed this checkpoint in 46:24 with Phil Reed, Yazzer Abdulah and Olivia Shanks coming through about 30 seconds later.

Leg 2 – was the longest leg with more twisty bits than Chubby Checker. It started off along the trail and turned right into bush and exiting on Outpost road, left then right up and through Leguinea Circle, passing the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, around the school and on to Walkers Road. Back in to Winsor Park, exit on Smith Road, some more twists and on to Goring Avenue, Elgin Avenue (you all with me so far?) around the back of GHAB, Cricket Square, Shedden Road and a straight forward run to Owen Roberts, keep going, onto a trail, pass the gun range across some open ground, passing GTYC and long trail to the end of the leg which was at the back of Progressive Distributors. Phew!

The fastest leg 2 runner was Jason Trautman (53:22) bring his team ‘Deloitte Fas and Furious’ right up the pecking order whilst Van Zyl Fourie (54:23) of ‘KPMG Hivenotors 1’ also pushing the pace on this leg. Lauren Hogan of ‘F45 Ladies’ was quickest female on Leg 2 and pushed her team ahead in the All-Female team category. However, at the front it was Levi Superville who brought the baton through first for 345AC A-Team whilst the Flashy Nation – Armpits had moved into second spot thanks to Kendall Ebanks. In the corporate race it was Intertrust leading the way and third overall after two legs. In the All-Female div it was Kiara Mclaughlin of 345AC Girls (sponsored by Brown Rudnick) who just edged in front of Michelle Bailey of Girls in Limbo for second and third behind F45 Ladies.

In the 50k race it was Phil and Olivia who were running together and had opened up a 3 minutes gap on Mike Kenna, Yazzer and Enrico. Oddy Grullon and Jelene Cruz were running together.

Leg 3 – Less complicated route had runners across the open land to a dyke road that exited at the rear of Camana Bay. Along the dock and around the new development which ended up on the far side of the old Britannia golf course. Passing the old Hyatt and down Snug Harbour and end up cutting through to Clipper Bay.

It was Matt “Sticks” Volkwyn who dominated this leg with an impressive time of 33:22 bring the FN Armpits well ahead of the field. Wes Heistand (Between a Walk and a Hard Pace) also ran quickly with a time of 35:05 with Matteo Manfio of Bitfits third quickest time. At the sharp-end it was Intertrust who moved into second overall as the 345AC team moved out of contention (Jamie assured me he had studied the map!!), whilst another 345AC team (sponsored by Brown Rudnick) moved into third spot. F45 Ladies were still ahead of the All-Female div but closing the gap was 345AC Girls thanks to Charlotte Kerr’s run who had pulled away from Girls in Limbo who were kept in third by Toni Pinkerton.

Phil and Olivia were streets ahead of nearest rival Yazzer, Mike Kenna, Enrico, Jalene, Oddy and Matthew Harkness who, like all the 50k runners were now feeling the heat at half-way – now we will see who has paced it best.

Leg 4 – Probably the easiest and shortest and apologies for the last minute adjustment at the end of North Sound Golf course, but heck it saved you a few hundred meters so who’s complaining!

The FN Armpits remained ahead of the field as Jamie Hughes time of 28:15 kep the pressure on the rest of the field. However InterTrust really wanted this as Warren Keens posted a time of 26:24 for the quickest leg and were closing the gap. 345AC BR Team were also making a thrust for top spot as Javier Perez’s time of 26:43 was quick whilst Tommy Kehoe posted 26:41 to move 345 A-Team into fourth spot. Quickest lady was Michelle Vinton (29:49) whilst 9 year old Doireann Lynch moved 345AC Girls closer to F45 Ladies.

Olivia and Phil stretched their lead and were really enjoying the Sunday morning training run! Yazzer and Mike continued working hard for second and third male place whilst Jalene had pulled ahead of Oddy.

Leg 5 – If you like a 2 mile beach run then you would enjoy leg 5 as if started at Governor’s Beach and headed up to Boggy Sands Road. There was a few tricky turns and if you had not studied the route you could have got lost in West Bay. Up NW Point, Turn on Watercourse Road and weave your way through to Boneventure. To the Turtle Farm, along Boatswains Bay and a turn south to finish the leg in Hell. With the sun’s rays it may have felt as hot as hell.

When Patrick Harfield took the baton he was probably a bit surprised the team were trailing the leaders by 8 minutes and off he sprinted up the beach. When Patrick gets the bit between his teeth and pushes the metal to the floor he is a very capable runner. His speed saw him quickly move in to third, then second and by the end of leg 5 he had taken his team 345 AC A-Team back in to the lead. Patrick had run a storming leg posting an impressive time of 38:53. The second fastest time of the day on Leg 5 was Ava Hider that just moved 345AC marginally ahead of F45 Ladies for the top two spots in all-female div. Josh Weaver (Pizza Hut Trailblaizers) posted the third quickest time of leg 5 with Adam McSharry fourth quickest for KPMG Sparks will Fly. Adam was soon take to hospital and we wish him well and hope he has a speedy recovery.

Leg 6 – Juan Pablo Valerio took the baton from Patrick and instead of relaxing he went out very hard to ensure he ran the quickest Leg 6 (33:53) and that his team were worth winners. Gabe Rabess also pushed the envelope and completed in a time of 36:04  and only just missed out on second overall as Jon Roney held him off as Intertrust came home second overall but winners of the Corporate div.

In the ladies it was Kyra Rabess who held of the challenge of Gill Gordon top ensure the 345AC Girls won this division

We at Race Caribbean enjoyed today and not even the broken down van (Leg 4 runners may have giggled seeing it parked on the side of Esterley Tibbitts Bypass) could dampen our spirits and ruin the day. A huge thanks to the volunteers of course who attended changeover locations and waterstops, to Derek Marshall of 1001.6 Kiss Fm who provided the music and entertainment, to Zulu and team for the liquid refreshments, to Barny and Bacaro for the food, to all sponsors KRyS Global, Tower, Harneys, Brown Rudnick, BDO, Campbells, Mourants. If I have missed anyone I am truly sorry but so far this has been a 17 hour day and I’m knackered!

Off The Beaten Track (OTBT) is an annual and charitable 50KM ultra-marathon designed to emulate the Marathon des Sables. It leads participants on a route along un-chartered, lush, tropical bush, on the sandy beaches and through unseen back roads. Relay Teams of 6 legs and Individual entry options available.

The 2019 OTBT takes place on Sunday 24th February.