WESTERN SPORTS - Flow to power MoBay City Run

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The city of Montego Bay will have its own dedicated road race as telecommunications firm Flow has partnered with the four western-based tertiary institutions to launch the first MoBay City Run on May 18.

The Flow MoBay City Run is a charity road race that will include a 10K, 5K, and Walk race to raise funds for needy students across western Jamaica. The funds will provide assistance for students attending the University of the West Indies and the University of Technology western campuses, Sam Sharpe Teachers' College, and Montego Bay Community College.

"More than 25 per cent of students enrolled in these tertiary institutions are unable to cover their fees in any given semester," said Janet Silvera, chairperson of the MoBay City Run organising committee.

"Since the estimated number of students in the four institutions is approximately 5,000, we are looking at more than 1,000 students each semester who are struggling to pay fees and are therefore at risk of being de-registered," she said.

"It was out this need that it was agreed to have a city run of this kind to assist these students along their educational path."

Route

The event will start at the Old Hospital Park along Gloucester Avenue (Hip-Strip), snaking past the Old Fort on to St James Street in the vicinity of the Montego Bay Public Library to mark the half-mile journey.

Runners will then go along Meagre Bay Road into Sam Sharpe Square, then down St James Street on to Howard Cooke Boulevard to complete one mile of running, before turning at the Catherine Hall intersection for the backstretch, which will take the runners back to the park to complete the 5K Run and Walk. The 10K will have participants going on to the round-a-bout in the vicinity of the Sir Donald Sangster International Airport before returning

"This is really a good course. It's relatively flat, which means both amateur runners and more seasoned veterans will enjoy it, while getting to know the city more intimately," said Nicole Allen, logistics coordinator.

Flow's sponsorship is valued at $2 million, while Wisynco is offering sponsorship valued at more than $1 million. Other sponsors of the event include The Gleaner, Holiday Inn, Discount Lumber, Biokinego, Power 106FM, Mello FM, Desighn HQ, Rainforest Seafood, and Western Mirror.