I am having trouble believing that I have ran this race (the half-marathon) 7 times now.  It seems like just yesterday when I was the newbie running the first time, all the way back in 2011.

Same course and always at 5am which I love since I get to run in the darkness (minus street lights) for the first 80 minutes or so. I even have my little routine.  I get up at 3am (yes i’m nuts) and immediately jump into my car and drive to my office (of course my gear is ready and in a bag) and get there around 3:20.  Then I have a coffee, surf the Internet and take it easy till around 4:40.  Then I walk towards the start line and get there about 10 minutes before 5am.

The race bib this year changed – for the better with a lovely picture of Stingray City.  Note the “beer ticket”.  For runners who need a drink after the race (on an early Sunday morning …), local brewery Caybrew provided everyone with a cold beer.

At the start/finish line, the same MC we have had every year for as long as I can remember did as always an awesome job.  Its always a nice feeling to have your name called out when dashing towards the finish line.

At the finisher area ; all chatting and in good spirits (some surely on a runner’s high!) while having water, fruit and a Caybrew.

On my way back to my office for a quick shower, I saw the Cayman Compass photo booth.  Of course I stopped in for a funny picture 🙂

Back from the office & shower, I went to the Intertrust VIP booth – not sure how I got on their list, but I am not complaining. Coffee, awesome breakfast, mimosa’s & the likes. Putting back all those calories I guess.

The course! We were lucky it was cool-ish and not humid. As for results: I finished the half marathon in 1h42min – I am very pleased.  That places me 32nd in a field of 613 half marathon runners.  Not bad for an old guy 🙂

One last item of interest. On November 29th,  the population of Grand Cayman went from +-55,000 to 75,000. Around 20,000 people came ashore on 6 cruise ships. Glad I did not need to go to the harbor area that day.  Great for tourism in Cayman though!