ENCOURAGED by the auspicious inaugural staging of the Jamaica National (JN) Building Society Foundation’s Heroes in Action 5K Run/Walk in Falmouth on Sunday, JN’s General Manager Earl Jarrett is hoping to include cruise and stopover visitors in next year’s staging of the event.

“Hopefully next year we can get the tourism sector involved. I would love to have hotels participate… for visitors to come down to the island to participate in it. A great ambition would be to see if we could have a boat in the (Falmouth) port, a ship in the harbour, and people from the vessel participating. So we have some big objectives and we are going to work on it for next year, and we are going to be right back here in Falmouth,” an enthused Jarrett told the Jamaica Observer West during the presentation ceremony of the event held on the Falmouth Shipping Pier.

“It’s our first year and it exceeded our expectation; We had over 500 people registered. It is a good start and we had the partnership with the Usain Bolt Foundation. We are in the beautiful historic town of Falmouth and I don’t think you can replicate the experience of walking pass some of these historic buildings.”

The event was endorsed by Usain Bolt and the Usain Bolt Foundation.

Bolt, who was also pleased with the maiden effort, pledged his continued support for the event.

“I am always willing to participate in anything to uplift my community and I am looking forward to doing it again next year. It is a great event,” said the phenomenal athlete, a native of Sherwood Content in Trelawny.

His manager, Nugent Walker, was also impressed with the overwhelming support for the event.

“We are happy with the turnout. It’s the first staging and the community seems to be vibrant; everybody came out and enjoyed themselves. It’s for a worthy cause, so we are pleased,” a satisfied Walker noted.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the construction of a media library, sewing room and a general studies classroom at the Granville Child Care facility in Trelawny.

Manager at the institution, Kisha Riley, was very appreciative.

“I am so enthused, I am overwhelmed, I am struck with awe, I am in amazement. I feel so good with the JN Foundation and Usain Bolt Foundation coming out to support Granville Child Care facility in such a way, and the CDA (Child Development Agency) in general,” expressed an overjoyed Riley.

Ryon Chambers won the male category of the event with a run of 17 minutes and 58 seconds. Second place went to Lenford Adams in 18:15, while Ronique Williams finished third in 18:19.

In the female category, first place went to Karlene Blagrove of Pacers Running Club in an easy-looking 22:07 minutes. She was followed by Jozanne Harris in 22:57 minutes, while Jordan Waldschmidt ended in third position in a time of 25:04 minutes.

 

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Successful-staging-of-JN-Foundation-s-5K-Run-Walk-in-Falmouth_19234748

Was this article helpful?
YesNo