The streets of George Town look different before sunrise. On Sunday, December 6, 2026, runners will gather on Seafarers Way while much of Grand Cayman is still asleep, ready for the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon. The full marathon begins at 4:30 a.m., followed by the half marathon and four-person relay at 5 a.m. Later in the morning, young runners get their own moment at the Milo Kids Fun Run.
This is a race built for more than one kind of runner. You can take on 26.2 miles, run the 13.1-mile half marathon, share the distance with three teammates, or bring a child to the fun run. The adult course starts and finishes in George Town, Grand Cayman, heading through South Sound toward Prospect Point before returning to the waterfront.
"Choose the distance that fits you, collect your bib on December 5, and be there when George Town comes alive before dawn on December 6, 2026."
The Story of the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon
Grand Cayman’s Premier Running Event
The Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon has become a staple in the running community, attracting participants from around the globe. With options for a full marathon, half marathon, four-person relay, and a kids' fun run, it caters to various skill levels and age groups.
Registration is open, with fees structured to encourage early sign-ups. Runners registering between September 1 and October 31, 2026, pay US$105 for the marathon, US$70 for the half marathon, and US$215 for a four-person relay team. Prices rise in November, so the date you register affects what you pay.
What to Expect on Race Day
Timing, Locations, and Events
The main race day is Sunday, December 6, 2026, the first Sunday of the month. All adult races begin on Seafarers Way in George Town, in front of Bayshore Mall. The children’s run starts later from the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue.
Here are the times to build your weekend around:
- Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Late registration and race-packet pickup at ONE | GT Hotel, Goring Avenue, George Town.
- Sunday, December 6, at 4:30 a.m.: Full marathon start on Seafarers Way.
- Sunday, December 6, at 5 a.m.: Half marathon and CUC four-person relay start at the same adult-race location.
- Sunday, December 6, at 10:30 a.m.: Milo Kids Fun Run starts at the Government Administration Building.
"There is no packet pickup or registration on race day."
If you are flying into Grand Cayman on Saturday, arrange your arrival so you can collect your bib before 5 p.m. If a flight delay makes that impossible, contact the race organisers in advance about an alternative rather than turning up at the start line without your packet.
Choose Your Cayman Islands Marathon Event
Four Unique Race Options
You do not have to be a marathoner to enjoy this race weekend. The four events let runners choose a challenge that suits their preparation and their group.
Full Marathon
A Test of Endurance
The full marathon starts at 4:30 a.m. on December 6. The course is a loop: marathon runners complete the route twice, passing through George Town, South Sound, and Prospect before returning to the finish near Bayshore Mall. The organiser describes it as very flat and confirms that it is AIMS and World Athletics certified and can be used as a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Flat does not mean effortless. The early start helps runners cover some distance before the day warms, but a full marathon remains a test of training, pacing, and hydration. Give the course respect even if the absence of hills sounds inviting.
Half Marathon
A Popular Choice for Many
The half marathon begins at 5 a.m. and covers one loop of the route. It is a strong option if you want the George Town start-line atmosphere and the South Sound scenery without running the full distance. The organiser says the half marathon is its most popular event, typically drawing around 900 to 1,100 registrants. That is a customary range, not a final participation figure for 2026.
CUC Four-Person Relay
Teamwork on the Course
The four-person relay also starts at 5 a.m. Each teammate runs approximately 6.5 miles, sharing the marathon distance. The published fee is for the whole team, not for each member, and the team must have four people. Organiser guidance says one person cannot run more than one leg.
A relay can turn an individual goal into a shared island trip. Just make sure every runner understands their changeover point and transport arrangements. The race provides shuttle service between the start-finish area and the turnaround for relay teams.
Milo Kids Fun Run
A Joyful Start for Young Runners
The Milo Kids Fun Run starts at 10:30 a.m. on December 6 from the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue. It is open to children ages 5 to 11. Registration is free for Cayman schoolchildren and US$12.50 for non-Cayman-resident children; it includes a shirt, bib, and medal.
The kids’ event is about participation, not finishing positions. It is a chance for younger family members to be part of the same morning as the adult runners, with their own start and finish arrangements. Parents should follow the current collection instructions and have children at the start in good time.
The Route: George Town to Prospect
A Scenic Journey Through Grand Cayman
The adult race begins on the George Town waterfront, in front of Bayshore Mall. Runners head along South Church Street into South Sound, then continue toward Old Prospect Road and the Prospect Point turnaround. From there, the route brings them back through residential streets, including Walkers Road and Elgin Avenue, before returning to Seafarers Way. Full marathoners repeat the loop.
That route gives visitors a view of Grand Cayman that is easy to miss on a beach-focused holiday. You move from the capital’s waterfront into neighbourhood roads and coastal stretches, then return to a finish where supporters can gather. It is not a trail race or a run on Seven Mile Beach; it is an organised road event through George Town, South Sound, and Prospect.
The organiser lists mile markers at every mile, with water stations near, though not necessarily at, those markers. Aid stations provide water, Gatorade, and snacks. Toilets and medical support are placed along the course, with main medical stations at the start-finish and turnaround areas. Review the race map and plan your own hydration as well, especially if you normally rely on a particular drink or fuel.
The full and half marathon have a six-and-a-half-hour cut-off. Walking is permitted if you can finish within that limit, but the organiser may remove participants who cannot complete the course before roads reopen. For marathon entrants, that makes honest pacing especially important.
Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon 2026 Prices
Plan Your Budget for Registration
Published entry fees are in US dollars and increase as race day approaches. For the main adult events, the price schedule is:
- September 1 to October 31, 2026: Marathon US$105; half marathon US$70; four-person relay US$215 per team.
- November 1 to 29, 2026: Marathon US$115; half marathon US$75; relay US$235 per team.
- November 30 to December 2, 2026: Marathon US$125; half marathon US$80; relay US$255 per team.
- December 5, 2026, at packet pickup: The same late-registration amounts are listed, subject to availability.
Adult registration includes a timing-chip bib, a commemorative technical shirt or tank top, a finisher’s medal for those who complete their event, and a sponsor bag. The deadline to request a tank top is September 30, while November 8 is the deadline for a personalised bib. Shirt and size availability cannot be guaranteed for entries made within two weeks of the race.
Check the terms before purchasing. Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable, and name changes are not allowed. The organiser describes a one-year deferral for US$20, subject to its deadline and eligibility conditions. If your trip depends on flights or accommodation, consider those commitments separately from the race fee.
Race Weekend Travel Tips
Prepare for a Smooth Marathon Experience
The course starts early, so a good race morning begins the night before. Pick up your packet on Saturday, December 5, lay out your bib and shoes, and decide how you will reach Seafarers Way well ahead of the 4:30 a.m. marathon or 5 a.m. half-marathon and relay starts.
The organiser advertises a complimentary park-and-ride service from 3:30 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m. Race information lists stops including Hotel Indigo, Governors Village, the Westin, The Ritz-Carlton, the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, and Kirk Supermarket parking lot. Shuttle-stop lists differ across some organiser pages, so verify the final list before choosing where to wait. Supporters may use the buses, but should give priority to runners.
Do not park on the route or in church parking lots. If you plan to watch, the organiser suggests off-course parking in George Town, then walking to a viewing point. Supporters must not drive, cycle, or skate beside a runner.
A few final checks can make the morning easier:
- Wear your bib with its timing chip. The organiser’s rule is clear: no chip, no time.
- Dress for a warm-weather race. The fact sheet anticipates temperatures in the low 70s °F at the start, rising toward the upper 70s or low 80s °F later. This is guidance, not a December 6 forecast.
- Leave strollers and pets off the course. Bikes, skateboards, and other unapproved support vehicles are also prohibited.
- Know your age category. The minimum age is 16 for the marathon and 12 for the half marathon, with exceptions considered case by case.
- Plan recovery time. A quiet meal and a chance to enjoy Grand Cayman after the race can be as welcome as the medal.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Things People Always Want to Know
When is the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon 2026?
The race is on Sunday, December 6, 2026. Packet pickup takes place the previous day, Saturday, December 5.
Where does the Cayman Islands Marathon start?
The adult events start on Seafarers Way in George Town, Grand Cayman, in front of Bayshore Mall. The Kids Fun Run has a separate start at the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue.
What time does the marathon start?
The full marathon starts at 4:30 a.m. The half marathon and four-person relay start at 5 a.m., all on December 6, 2026.
How much is registration for the 2026 Cayman Islands Marathon?
From September 1 through October 31, 2026, the marathon costs US$105, the half marathon US$70, and the four-person relay US$215 per team. Prices increase in November.
Is the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes. The organiser says its AIMS-certified full marathon course can be used as a Boston Marathon qualifier. Runners pursuing a qualifying time should also check the current Boston Marathon entry rules.
Is the Kids Fun Run free?
It is free for Cayman schoolchildren ages 5 to 11. Registration for non-Cayman-resident children is US$12.50. The run begins at 10:30 a.m. on December 6.
Can I collect my race packet on Sunday morning?
No. Packet pickup is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ONE | GT Hotel in George Town. The organiser says there is no race-day pickup or registration.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event category: Road running, marathon, half marathon, team relay, and children’s fun run.
- Event name: Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon 2026.
- Race date: Sunday, December 6, 2026.
- Adult start and finish area: Seafarers Way, in front of Bayshore Mall, George Town, Grand Cayman.
- Full marathon start: 4:30 a.m.
- Half marathon and four-person relay start: 5 a.m.
- Milo Kids Fun Run: 10:30 a.m., starting at the Government Administration Building, Elgin Avenue.
- Packet pickup: Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., ONE | GT Hotel, Goring Avenue, George Town. An older line on the race-information page conflicts; the detailed 2026 notice and fact sheet give this location.
- Entry fees through October 31: US$105 marathon; US$70 half marathon; US$215 per four-person relay team. Later published rates rise to US$125, US$80, and US$255, respectively.
- Kids Fun Run price: Free for Cayman schoolchildren; US$12.50 for non-Cayman-resident children.
- Course: Flat, looped road route through George Town, South Sound, and Prospect; the marathon covers two loops.
- Course status: Full and half marathon are AIMS and World Athletics certified; the marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
- Adult race cut-off: Six and a half hours for both full and half marathon.
- Race-day packet pickup or registration: Not available.
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