Countdown to Million Dollar Run begins

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Million Dollar Run launches campaign with prestigious sponsors

(First in a four part series)

The fifth annual Million Dollar Run race is around the corner, on Easter weekend,6 to 9 April. The event, which comprises a powerboat race, poker hand and several glamorous parties, has grown to become a fixture on the spring calendar of both the Cayman Islands and the region.

According to organizers, co–founders Ugland Offshore Racing and The Residences at The Ritz–Carlton remain loyal partners to the event providing financial and organizational support.

“The support system of our marquee sponsors has formed a great jumping off platform for Million Dollar Run,” states Kenny Rankin, event managing director and co–founder. “Their investment and the prestigious association have allowed the event to grow and grow. It’s exciting.”

Million Dollar Run began in 2001 as simply a powerboat race from Kaibo through the North Sound to the waters off what would be The Ritz–Carlton, Grand Cayman hotel property. Captains compete for prizes such as Best Time, Best Crew, Best Craft and Outlaw Class (boats under 500 CCs). Along the way, Captains play a poker game by pulling cards at various stops.

In 2007, Million Dollar Run has grown to encompass not one but several luxurious events for Cayman. This expansion, Mr. Rankin says, is due to incredible support from the corporate community.

Cable and Wireless, Belvedere Vodka, Breitling Timepieces and The Caymanian Compass are 2007’s gold sponsors.

“This year’s gold sponsors are an illustrious group of corporate citizens,” states Searlina Bodden. “They represent the top of Cayman’s business community and we will be working with them to enhance the event on a whole.”

Morgan Gallery will be working with Monster Media to present the first annual Million Dollar Run Art Exhibition featuring the work of over 10 of Cayman’s most prolific artists on Saturday April 7, 2007. The works of the exhibition will follow a nautical theme and two pieces will be silent auctioned off at our annual gala, to benefit MDR’s official 2007 charity Junior Achievement.

Junior Achievement is the official charity beneficiary of Million Dollar Run 2007 and will benefit from event proceeds.

“We are also hoping to work with Junior Achievement on a fund–raising dress down day,” states Ms. Bodden. “On a whole, Junior Achievement and its spirit of entrepreneurship is a great match for Million Dollar Run, whose racers and sponsors are such shining examples of achievement and prosperity.”

Partnerships with Vampt Motors, Crighton Properties, Watler’s Metal Products, Thompson Shipping and Noah’s Ark are ensuring Million Dollar Run will be as exciting as ever.

For more information, log onto www.mdr.ky and watch The Caymanian Compass for continuing coverage of the lead–up to the fifth annual Million Dollar Run.

Coming next week: An up close look at the race and an exciting new change to the Million Dollar Run course.

MILLION DOLLAR RUN

Easter Monday’s Million Dollar Run Race Day at Kaibo is always the main attraction of Million Dollar Run. What with the race, the models, the kid’s zone and the musical entertainment, it is the definitive climax of a great sun–filled weekend in the Caribbean.

“This said, we really want to open up the event to appealing to a wider range of people,” states Ms Searlina Bodden. “From the banquet at The Ritz–Carlton hotel to the dance floor at the Kick–Off Celebration; there is going to be a diverse event people will want to be in the Cayman Islands for.”

A new addition to the event is a nautical–themed art exhibition on at The Morgan Gallery starting on Saturday 7th. Andreas Ugland, Monster Media and the team at Morgan have pulled together a troupe of the Cayman Islands’ most prolific fine artists to create paintings with a nautical theme. Two pieces of work will be auctioned off via silent auction on Friday April 6 at The MDR Banquet at the Ritz–Carlton, Grand Cayman, Periwinkle Restaurant to benefit Junior Achievement, MDR’s 2007 charity beneficiary.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the team at the Morgan Gallery. Million Dollar Run is about embracing the traditional maritime culture of the Cayman Islands and it will be so interesting to see that from the vantage point of the island’s finest artists,” states Ms Bodden.

Featured artists will include Randy Chollette, Avril Ward, Gordon Solomon, Nicola McCoy, April Bending, James Webster and more art will be on display from 7th April until 21 April. For more information on the artists and pieces or to view a catalogue, contact Geraldine Morgan on 525–2907 or 943–5566.

Watch the Caymanian Compass for additional information the events surrounding Million Dollar Run 2007, April 6–9 2007 in Grand Cayman.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, 5 April, 6.30pm

Captain’s Meeting and Cocktail Reception, at the Ritz–Carlton, lobby lounge

*Attendance required by all Captains and team

**Final registration opportunity

Friday, 6 April, 7pm

Million Dollar Run Gala Evening, at Periwinkle, Ritz–Carlton. RSVP.

Friday, 6 April, 12.01am

Belvedere Ice Palace Kick–off Bash at Next Level Nightclub.

Saturday, 7 April, 7pm, by Invitation only. The Morgan Gallery and Monster Media present the Million Dollar Run Art Exhibition. Nautical art by fine Cayman artists, at the Morgan Gallery.

Monday, 9 April, 12pm, race day. Check–in, 11am, race start is 12pm.