Big increase in participants at second Guardian Life Blue Run

A downpour of rain at the start of the Blue Run 5K Run and Walk last Sunday morning did not dampen the spirit or movement of most of the thousands of registered participants who turned up for the race which began at Emancipation Park. The walk/run was powered by Guardian Life, celebrating its 25th anniversary.

In fact, there were 80 per cent more runners and walkers for the second staging of the event, with the majority representing Corporate Jamaica.

“With the rain, we had to cancel the blue powdering of the participants which was the initial plan in keeping with our aim to colour Kingston blue in honour of Prostate Awareness month in September,” said Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, race director and executive director of Running Events Jamaica, conceptualiser of the event, aimed at bringing awareness to prostate cancer and the need for early tests. However, he described the race as successful.

Evans Tetteh of Jamaica College with a time of 17 minutes eight seconds was first to cross the line ahead of his teammate Dominic Amponsah with a time of 17:09. Royale Gordon was third in 17:46.

CHASE Fund swept the top three places in the women’s race. Cindy Rose was first in 21:01, second place went to Terrica Clarke in 21:03 while in third was Florence Nafamba at 21.05.