Jamaican High Commission celebrates ‘Emancipendence’ with 5k

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The High Commission of Jamaica in Trinidad and Tobago celebrated Emancipation Day as well as Jamaica’s upcoming Independence Day with a 5k run around the Queen’s Park Savannah, St Clair, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

Jamaica will celebrate its 63rd anniversary of independence on August 6.

Natalie Campbell-Rodriguez, High Commissioner for Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago and Permanent Representative to the Association of Caribbean States, said, “We thought this year, in keeping with the Jamaica Moves movement, which is in Jamaica, keeping healthy, knowing your numbers, and keeping the body moving, we thought this would be an appropriate thing to do. This is the inaugural 5K event, and we’re hoping to make this an annual event.”

The celebrations will continue today. She added, “Tomorrow [today] we’ll have a church service where, as Jamaicans, we go and worship and say thanks for what has happened so far and seek blessings for what will come in the future.”

She encouraged those who would like to support or participate in next year’s event to get in touch with the Jamaica High Commission on Newbold Street.

She further stated, “I’m a runner—well, I tell myself that. When I see myself on film, I don’t look as good as I do in my head, but it doesn’t matter. I keep my body moving, and it was great just being out there and knowing that all these people are doing it to celebrate the “Emancipendence” of Jamaica. It felt really good out there this morning. The weather was good. It wasn’t too hot. I think we hit the time right, and so next year it’s going to be the same time early in the morning.”

Winning the 5K race was Guswil George from the Trinidad and Tobago Road Runners club. Coming in second was Narvin Beharry, and Ruthven Kurbanali was third. Among the females, Aqiyla Gomez from Endurance Elite running club placed first, in second place was Alesha Barber from Medal Chasers, and third was Charmaine Dookie of Tectonic Fitness.

Among the male over-50s, Victor Hugo Morales of the Mexican embassy came first. Neil Choon placed second, and the Korean ambassador, Seijoong Kwon, was third. Among other members of the diplomatic corps present were the French ambassador and the Australian High Commissioner.