The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) sponsored the Cayman Islands’ inaugural parkrun, which launched at Festival Green, Camana Bay, on Saturday 29 August, with more than 250 people gathering to walk, jog, run and volunteer at the first event.
The sponsorship forms part of the Ministry’s continued focus on promoting healthier lifestyles, prevention and wellbeing across the community, while extending the momentum generated by the recently concluded Move It Cayman campaign. The campaign encouraged residents to make movement and physical activity part of their everyday lives, and parkrun now provides an opportunity for people to put that message into practice.
Parkrun is a global movement that provides free, weekly 5K community events. The events are volunteer-led and open to people of all ages and abilities. Participants can walk, jog or run the course, while others can volunteer to support the event. Although participants receive a time for completing the course, there are no winners or prizes. The focus is on participation, consistency and creating a welcoming environment where people can be active at a pace that suits them.
Parkrun began in the United Kingdom more than 20 years ago and has grown into an international network of weekly events. The Cayman Islands’ Festival Green event now forms part of that wider network, providing residents and visitors with a locally based opportunity to build physical activity into their weekly routines.
The Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, said: “Healthy communities are built through opportunities that people can realistically return to week after week. By supporting initiatives like parkrun, we are helping to create an environment where being active can become a normal and enjoyable part of community life. The strong turnout at the inaugural event demonstrates that there is an appetite for these kinds of opportunities, and I look forward to seeing this community grow.”
The Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Felicia McLean, said the initiative complements the Ministry’s wider emphasis on prevention and supports people in making healthier choices.
“As nurses, we see every day the difference that prevention and healthy habits can make over the long term. An initiative like parkrun gives people a simple starting point, but just as importantly, it gives them a reason to keep coming back. That consistency is what can help turn an occasional effort into a lasting habit,” Mrs. McLean said.
Beyond the physical benefits of regular activity, initiatives such as parkrun can support mental wellbeing and social connection. A consistent weekly event gives residents an opportunity to meet others, develop healthy routines and take part in an activity that can be enjoyed regardless of fitness level.
The volunteer-led model also strengthens the community aspect of the initiative. Residents can contribute by helping to marshal the course, support timing, welcome participants or assist with other event roles. This allows people to be involved even if they do not wish to walk, jog or run the 5K themselves.
Event Director, Robert Duggan said: "We are very grateful to the Ministry for its support of Festival Green parkrun. Our event is a perfect cornerstone of the Move It Cayman initiative - we'll be at Festival Green every Saturday morning throughout the year, offering a repeatable opportunity for movement and community around which good habits and healthy outcomes can be built. We are about so much more than running - if you can get up early enough for our 6.30 start time, come and check us out (and when you do, please wear sneakers so that you'll have the option to participate)!"
Mrs. McLean said the initiative provides a practical way for residents to continue the habits encouraged through Move It Cayman.
“Move It Cayman was about encouraging our people to find ways to move more, and this is a natural continuation of that message. Through sponsoring this free, year-round event, the Ministry is providing opportunities for the community to stay active and make movement a regular part of everyday life, rather than something associated only with a particular campaign or time of year. By supporting increased physical activity, we also hope to help reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases highlighted in the STEPS 2023 Survey.” she said.
To register or find out more, visit the official Festival Green parkrun page (www.parkrun.org.uk/festivalgreen/) or email festivalgreen@parkrun.com.