Organisers of the Cingular Wireless Cayman Islands Marathon have announced a new start/finish line that promises a lot of excitement, a better view and tons of early-morning fun.

“We decided to move the start/finish line to Breezes by the Bay Restaurant on the waterfront after Breezes owner Tom Lasley indicated an interest in the restaurant becoming the Official Party Zone for the Marathon,” explains race organiser Rhonda Kelly of Kelly Holding Ltd. “Tom and his team have offered to host an awesome party before, during and after the race that will enhance the event and make it a memorable one for all our runners, but especially our visiting runners from overseas.”

The rest of the route for the race remains the same, says Rhonda, and the only other change that previous runners of the race can expect is a lot more activity at the start/finish line.

The race starts in front of Breezes by the Bay, goes along South Church Street, into South Sound, onto Crewe Road in front of Grand Harbour and into Old Prospect Road behind Durty Reid’s. Runners then turn around at the end of Old Prospect Road and return the same way they came but turning onto Walkers Road and continuing onto Hospital Road, Elgin Avenue and Edward Street, passing the Post Office, up Fort Street and back onto Harbour Drive toward Breezes.

The party at the start/finish line gets underway at 4:30am when Breezes opens its doors. Breakfast will be on sale, along with non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and entertainment will be provided by a DJ. Spot prizes will be given away throughout the morning to supporters while they await the runners and the presentation of awards will take place on a stage outside the restaurant. Spectators will also be able to track their particular runners online in real time at an internet café that will be set up in Breezes courtesy of title sponsor Cingular Wireless.

“This year we want to encourage family, friends and other spectators to come out and support the runners from start to finish. Come for breakfast and stay for lunch. Make it an all day event!” says Rhonda.

Registration is still open for the Cingular Wireless Cayman Islands Marathon, Half-Marathon and 4-person relay. For more information, log on to www.CaymanIslandsMarathon.com or call 525 8822.

New volunteers are also welcome to assist on race day. From the management of registration for the race, coordination of the start/finish line activities and replenishment of the water stations to organizing the demonstrations and presentations at the Health & Fitness Expo, welcoming the overseas runners, distributing the medals and showing support along the route, there is no shortage of ways that one can be involved. Interested persons can attend a final volunteers meeting on Tuesday, 1 March at the St. George’s Anglican Church Hall at 5:30pm.

The Cingular Wireless Cayman Islands Marathon is presented by Texaco and sponsored by Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Cayman Airways, Z99, Breezes by the Bay Restaurant, Flowers Bottled Water, Cayman National, Gatorade, The Final Touch, KPMG and CUC.