Lawyer threatens to run marathon in mankini

(CNS): Alistair Walters, managing partner of Cayman based international law firm Campbells, has already raised several thousand dollars in sponsorship for his run on 6 December in the Cayman Islands Marathon. If the sponsorship reaches CI$10,000, he says he will run it in a Borat mankini. Walters is raising the money for the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman’s Scholarship Fund, a charity fund set up to help provide continued education opportunities for local children. If he can’t make the $10,000 Walters says he’s still prepared to do the race in a tutu for the price of $5000.  Derek Haines is also planning on covering the 26 miles and is looking for sponosrs for meals on wheels but he says he’s sticking to the normal running gear.

“I have already had some great support from friends but I am hoping for more,” says Walters. “I wanted to bring some attention to the Rotary scholarship fund and raise as much money as possible for it. I think my choice of fancy dress will attract a few laughs and a fair degree of attention for the cause, which is something I am quite comfortable with if it helps us provide the best possible education to youth in need.”

Walters has also encouraged larger donors to throw down a time challenge to him.  Based on his best times running half a marathon, he estimates that a goal of under 4 hours is possible.

“I have never run a full marathon before,” said Walters, “but I think the added motivation in running for a good cause and the challenge of beating a time to raise even more funds will help me to push through.”

Meanwhile, Rotarian Derek Haines has also been honing his long distance running skills over the past several months, completing over 1500 miles so far this year and he hopes to raise money for both Meals on Wheels and the Youth Rugby Club.

Twenty five years ago, Haines completed the London marathon with an impressive time of 2.59 hours and then repeated the feat in his home town of Leicester.  His most recent performance is 3.53 hours in the Robin Hood marathon (Nottingham) in 2005, a race that he ran with his daughter Lizzy in her first marathon race.  Anyone interested in pledging Rotary’s senior participant can also make a guess on his finishing time and 6 bottles of Veuve Cliquot and 250 rugby club dollars goes to the winner. 

"Now Iam in my 60s I realise how important it is to stay fit,” said Derek. “Running is a great way to do this and keep the weight down. It gives me the opportunity to think problems through without cell phone distractions. Running a marathon generally gets people’s attention and I find that most are willing to pledge a few dollars for a worthy cause if one is daft enough to run one. Even though the years are taking their toll on my finishing time I am confident of finishing on my own feet and not in the back of an ambulance" 

To sponsor Walters Contact Rachel Elmes at Campbells relmes@campbells.com.ky and for Haines call 323 0803 or email derek.haines@drcl.ky