Massive support for MoBay City Run

Organisers of the Jill Stewart Montego Bay City Run are heartened that their effort to support tertiary education drew a significant response from participants on Sunday.

The event’s goal is to garner money to offset funding for students pursing tertiary education, and with more than 5,000 entrants this time, more than double the 1,800 participants in the previous Run, there is confidence and satisfaction for earnings and effort, respectively.

“I’m thrilled to share that our goal this year for the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run is to donate $7 million to education, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” shared Janet Silvera, the event’s founder and chairperson of the organising committee. “With the incredible support we’ve seen so far, it’s looking like we’re not only going to meet but surpass that target.

“This is a testament to the generosity and commitment of our participants, sponsors, and supporters. Every dollar raised will make a significant difference in education, further amplifying the impact of this already remarkable event. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of such a meaningful cause,” she stated.

Main competition was focused on the 5K and 10K run for male and females, and there were other categories, which included walking events.

In the female 10K, Danielle Terrier took first ahead of Alecia Green and Vanessa Stockhausen, and Kemar Leslie took the male equivalent ahead of Jomo-Rhys Zgilman. Andrew Gutzmore placed third.

In the signature 5K, Mount Alvernia High schoolgirls Karma Lewin (21:52) and Chris-Ann Edwards (21:54) claimed first and second, respectively, in a neck-and-neck duel to the finish, and third went to Cindy Asoba (22:41).

Dwayne Graham was first in the men’s 5K in 16:45, and Winston Dehaney finished second in 17:07 ahead of Andrew Powell (17:36).

This year’s event was renamed in honour of the late Jill Stewart, a former educator and competitor who had contributed passionately to the event by not only working with the organisers to drum up support, but creating a group to attract participants.

“Jill Stewart was an avid runner. She ran all over the world, but she still found time to make an effort to support our Run. She has won our Run on more than once. She won the 5K and the 10K,” Silvera shared. “She was an educator, she was a trained teacher, and so she understood the importance of education. On more than one occasion she sat down and spoke of expanding the race to make it into a half-marathon or a marathon to attract more international competitors. She wanted Montego Bay’s role in contributing to education to be significant. She was a very special person, and it gives me special pleasure to know that I could do this in her honour,” Silvera added.

Jill’s husband, Adam, executive chairman Sandals Resorts International, who competed along with a very large team from Sandals, said, “My wife was an educator, she was a teacher so the greatest thing to do is to give back and get that reward and support the education of Jamaicans. It’s everything. I’m grateful for the love and turnout.

“Congratulations to Janet Silvera and the team for putting on this amazing Run that brought so many people together, It’s the most amazing crowd I’ve seen for the event … and it’s amazing that they can do this year after year.

“There were so many corporate sponsors … people came from everywhere, Trelawny, Hanover, St Ann, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Kingston, people came from St Ann, everywhere,” Stewart added.

“I just want to say big respect, big love, it’s for an amazing cause, and it will do amazing things ... and next year, let’s set a goal to do it again for the city of Montego Bay, and thanks to all who supported on behalf of my wife.”