Haines hopes for touch of Irish luck in run #5

(CNS): Despite a troubling, swollen ankle, Cayman’s veteran marathon runner Derek Haines has said he is in good shape and confident of finishing the next race in his incredible marathon challenge for the local hospice. Haines, who will turn 66 years of age just five days before he competes in his fifth marathon of the year, in Ireland, is hoping for a touch of Irish luck to push the total pledged to build a residential care facility for Cayman Hospice past $800,000. Haines will run his penultimate pavement pounder in the six races for the year on Monday 27 October. The public is being urged to help carry him through to his ultimate $1m target with their support especially as this month has been declared ‘Derektober’.

To date Haines has made some impressive times in his first four marathons and no matter what he records on the clock in Dublin, it will be a personal best for him at age 66. However, he will still have chance to beat his time in December when he will be running on home turf for the final 26 plus mile race of what has so far proved to be an awesome challenge.

Haines’ Six4hospice has won the admiration and respect of the community and people have been digging deep to help him raise what is a lot of cash. This month Jacques Scott open their Cocktail week with a Jame Bond 'Shaken not Stirred' night at the Grand Old House with $50 from the $75 going to the fund. Also Blackbeards and Big Daddy's are donating a percentage of their takings during ‘Derektober’.

The 35th Dublin marathon will be a cool change for Haines who does his training in the tropical sunshine as the temperature is expected to be around 12 – 14°C (53 – 57°F) with a light drizzle according to weather experts. The course is a largely flat, single lap, running through the historic Georgian streets of the Irish capital.  It starts on Fitzwilliam Square, heads out of town through the Phoenix Park and then south across the river taking in Bushy Park and UCD before finishing on Merrion Square.

Grateful to everyone who has backed him, Haines said people can make a donation and keep an eye on the fundraising progress on the web site six4hospice.com and to follow him in next Monday’s race visit http://dublinmarathon.ie/