Moore Morning Runs bring community, conversation and healing to Camana Bay

For Candice Czeremuszkin, the monthly Moore Morning Runs are deeply personal.

“I lost my best friend at the age of 17 to suicide, unfortunately,” said Czeremuszkin, managing partner of Moore in the Cayman Islands, which, for more than a year, has organised monthly runs around Camana Bay to raise awareness around the importance of mental health. “It resonates very personally with me, being able to provide people that space, time and effort to really show that there is a helping hand in the community; that we are here if you need us.”

The Moore Morning Run began thousands of miles away in Limerick, Ireland and was inspired by a sobering discovery.

“One of our partners, Karl Daly, would typically run along the river in the morning,” Czeremuszkin said. 

He eventually learned the highest suicide rates occurred along the river where he would run, which inspired an idea for people to run together. 

“That’s pretty much what it was born out of,” Czeremuszkin said. “To raise mental health awareness and to give people a sense of community, a place to gather and just come and share their feelings if they wanted to or just have a sense of camaraderie.”

The initiative has since grown into a global movement, with Moore offices around the world holding runs on the first Friday of each month. The Cayman office launched its own version more than a year ago and has partnered with the Alex Panton Foundation, which focuses on providing advocacy, awareness, education and support to the community of the Cayman Islands.

Participation has grown rapidly.

“We started with less than 10 people and now we get upwards of 70 persons registering on a monthly basis,” said Moore’s Taylor Heimpel, who helps organise the Cayman run. “It really has caught on.”

As Camana Bay prepares for Wellness Month, Moore is partnering with the Town Centre to bring the run into the wider community.

“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity and just fosters a sense of community,” Heimpel said. “Camana Bay’s been really accessible to lots of people. They feel comfortable in the space.”

She said the timing made sense.

“Why not Wellness Month? This is what it’s about. It’s about taking care of yourself and taking care of your mental health. I think it’s a perfect partnership in that sense.”

In addition to the benefits participants gain from the physical activity, the runs also provide a broader platform to learn. Organisations like the Alex Panton Foundation and the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre have given educational presentations to the groups as well. 

“This is something I think we will continue to do because it’s had such an overwhelming response,” Czeremuszkin said. “I’ve gotten to know some really great people who are willing to share their stories. And I think that openness is something that didn’t exist when I went through what I did with my best friend.” 

Looking ahead, Czeremuszkin said the goal remains simple.

“This is not a business venture for us,” she said. “This is at the heart of the community providing a safe space for people to come.”