Stride Against Cancer is the Cayman Islands Cancer Society’s biggest annual fundraiser, bringing thousands together across Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman to walk or run in solidarity with cancer patients, survivors, and families. Each January, the “Cayman National Stride” transforms Public Beach and West Bay Road into a sea of branded shirts and team banners, with satellite Stride events in the Sister Islands to ensure the entire country can participate. For 2026, plan on a late‑January Sunday morning start from Public Beach on Seven Mile Beach, with registration opening in the fall and early‑bird pricing available for individuals, families, and corporate teams. The funds raised power the Cancer Society’s prevention programs, financial aid, and patient services all year long.
When and where Stride 2026 happens
The Cayman National Stride consistently takes place on the last or penultimate Sunday in January, with the 2025 edition held on Sunday, January 26, starting and finishing at Public Beach on West Bay Road. Expect a similar late‑January Sunday for 2026, with a pre‑dawn check‑in and a sunrise send‑off down West Bay Road toward George Town and back. Sister Island Strides in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman typically run the same weekend or earlier in January so every district can take part. Official registration pages confirm the exact 2026 date as the fall approaches.
- Grand Cayman hub: Public Beach, Seven Mile Beach corridor, out‑and‑back along West Bay Road with traffic controls and water stops.
- Cayman Brac route: Recent notices show a 7:00 AM start from Cayman Brac Beach Resort to Foster’s Corner and back, with same‑day registration from 6:30 AM.
- Little Cayman: Community walk details are published locally as the weekend nears to coordinate volunteers and route safety.
Distances, start windows, and pacing
Stride is designed for everyone. Prior years have offered a main 10K option along West Bay Road and a shorter quarter‑marathon (about 6.5 miles) window with staggered start times to spread participants along the route. Expect the 2026 schedule to post early‑morning staging for runners and a later window for walkers, with families and strollers welcome in the second wave. Hydration points and marshals are positioned at regular intervals, and first aid is available along the course.
- Typical formats: 10K run/walk, plus a quarter‑marathon wave option; runners start first, then walkers.
- Staggering: Past quarter‑marathon waves opened every 15 minutes between 5:45 AM and 7:30 AM to minimize bunching and maintain safety on West Bay Road.
Registration fees and what’s included
Historically, early‑bird entry sits in the CI$20–CI$25 range for adults, rising by CI$5 close to race day; youth rates come in lower, and a “no‑shirt” option typically costs CI$10 less for participants who prefer to donate without receiving apparel. 2025 posts also referenced CI$20 with shirt (or $10 without) in certain districts. Expect 2026 pricing to be announced with the opening of online registration in Q4. Entries include the official Stride shirt, water, post‑walk snacks, and a morning of good island energy. Corporate teams can request grouped pickup and extra branding options.
- Early‑bird guidance: Adult CI$25 before a mid‑January cutoff; then CI$30; youth around CI$15. Final 2026 fees will be confirmed by the organizer upon launch.
- Sister Islands: Recent Cayman Brac posts showed CI$20 with official shirt; on‑site registration offered the morning of the event.
Why Stride matters
Stride Against Cancer funds critical work: free screenings and education, patient grants for travel and treatment, and support services that touch every district. It is also a moment for survivors to be celebrated and for families to remember loved ones. Businesses sponsor, schools mobilize teams, and civic groups bring volunteers, making Stride a true Cayman community day that blends wellness with purpose.
Team playbook for workplaces, schools, and friends
- Pick a captain early: Coordinate registrations, shirt sizes, and a meeting spot near Public Beach.
- Brand your stride: Create custom team shirts or accessories in allowed colors; carry a small banner for photos.
- Warm‑up and pace: Encourage a light dynamic warm‑up; plan a comfortable pace so everyone finishes together.
- Post‑stride gathering: Book a Seven Mile Beach café for breakfast; large groups should reserve.
Corporate teams can also sponsor a water station, volunteer along the course, or match employee donations to multiply impact.
Travel and parking logistics
- Arrive early: Public Beach parking fills quickly; carpool, taxi, or rideshare if possible.
- Bring light: Pre‑dawn starts are dark; pack a small clip‑on light or headlamp and wear reflective accents.
- Essentials: Photo ID for pickup, phone in a zip bag, and a small waist belt for keys and gel if you’re running the 10K.
- Hydration: Water stations are on course, but bring a reusable bottle to reduce waste and sip while waiting in the corral.
Family‑friendly tips
- Strollers welcome in later waves; line up near the back to keep flows smooth.
- Ear protection for little ones if they dislike bullhorns or PA systems.
- Sun care: Even early, the sun gets strong fast—use reef‑safe sunscreen and a cap.
- Snacks: Pack kid‑friendly options even though fruit and water are available at the finish.
Safety, accessibility, and support
Route marshals and police manage intersections; please follow instructions and stay inside cones. Wheelchair users can participate along the smoother sections of West Bay Road with a companion; email the organizer to arrange accessible pickup or special staging. If you feel unwell, step off to a staffed station—first aid is available and ambulances are on standby.
Make a weekend of it
If you are flying in or inviting off‑island family:
- Stay on Seven Mile Beach for walking access to the start.
- Book an easy Saturday dinner and an early night.
- Celebrate Sunday post‑Stride with a quick North Sound boat ride to Stingray City or a Seven Mile Beach brunch.
Local restaurants often run Stride‑day specials, and beach concessions near Public Beach open early for coffee.
Fundraising ideas that work
- Pledge‑per‑kilometre: Ask friends to donate CI$1–$5 per km; share your tracker after.
- Team raffle: Gather small prizes from local businesses and sell tickets in your office.
- Matching gifts: Encourage employers to match, and highlight the Cayman Islands Cancer Society’s programs beneficiaries.
Share your team page on social media with sunrise rehearsal photos along West Bay Road to build momentum.
What to wear and bring
- Shirt: Official Stride shirt or team tee; breathable fabrics.
- Shoes: Comfortable trainers you’ve already broken in.
- Weather kit: Light poncho for passing showers; humidity is common.
- Reusable bottle, sunglasses, visor, and a small towel for post‑walk cool‑down.
How to register and stay updated
CICS opens online registration in Q4 via its website and promoted links; early‑bird deadlines land roughly a week or two before event day. Bib/shirt pickup details post on social channels and local media. Sister Island dates and routes are posted on district pages and the CICS Facebook/Instagram feeds. Set alerts and register your whole team in one go to streamline pickup.
Ready to stride with Cayman? Lace up for a January Sunday that’s bigger than a walk—it is a statement of solidarity, hope, and care for neighbors across Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Build your team, book breakfast, and be part of the blue‑and‑white wave that fuels crucial cancer support for the year ahead.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event: Cayman Islands Cancer Society — Stride Against Cancer (Cayman National Stride + Sister Islands)
- 2026 Timing: Late‑January Sunday morning; 2025 was Sunday, Jan 26 (Grand Cayman)
- Grand Cayman Start/Finish: Public Beach on West Bay Road, Seven Mile Beach corridor
- Distances/Format: 10K run/walk and quarter‑marathon wave with staggered starts in prior years
- Fees (historical guidance): Early‑bird adult CI$25, then CI$30; youth CI$15; “no‑shirt” options or CI$10 district pricing referenced in posts; 2026 fees to be confirmed on registration launch
- Cayman Brac Example: 7:00 AM start; on‑site registration 6:30 AM; CI$20 with official shirt; route from Cayman Brac Beach Resort to Foster’s Corner and back
- Purpose: Largest fundraiser for CICS—funds prevention, screening, patient grants, and support services
- Registration Launch: Online signup promoted via CICS social in Q4; pickup details shared week‑of
Citations reflect published 2025 timing and routes, historic fee ranges, Sister Islands details, and official registration/promotion patterns used by the Cayman Islands Cancer Society for Stride Against Cancer
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