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More than $260 Thousand Awarded to Winners in Clarendon 10-K Run

July 25, 2006

The Full Story

The Clarendon Crime Prevention Committee hosted its first ever 10-K road race on Sunday (July 23), with some $260,000 awarded to winners in various categories.
Billy Shagoury, chairman of the Crime Prevention Committee, explained to JIS News that the competition was opened to anyone, who wanted to participate, however the largest prizes were awarded to non-professional participants from Clarendon, especially those who originated from the more depressed communities.
He noted that one of main objectives of the race was to forge linkages between the police and communities. “What we’re hoping to do, through this initiative, is to unite the police with a number of communities in the parish around the concept of crime prevention,” he said, adding that there were better alternatives to a life of crime, such as showcasing athletic talent.
Mr. Shagoury said that the event was a success with more than 200 persons across the island participating.”The 10-K run has been a resounding success and I think that it has brought home to people that crime is a problem and we’re going to deal with it. I think that the police participation was extraordinary because they are visible everywhere. We’re unifying the community, unifying the country on a whole and telling the criminal element that enough is enough,” he pointed out.
According to Mr. Shagoury, another road race would be staged next year, provided that the committee was able to get sponsorship.
Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, who addressed the presentation ceremony, commended the organizers and participants for taking a stand against crime.
“What we’re here witnessing this afternoon, I believe, is a commitment on the part of the people of Jamaica and the people of May Pen and Clarendon, to take back their own communities from the criminals,” Minister Phillips said.
The road race, which was held under the theme: ‘Peace and Safety’, saw athletes racing the distance from the Williams Texaco Gas Station at Osbourne Store to the Leiba’s Esso Tigermart in May Pen.
Jason Spence and Jacqueline McKenzie won the top prize of $40,000 each for emerging the top male and female in the non-professional category.
Second places in the non-professional category went to Archibald Fuertado and Judith Thomas, who each received $30,000, while third place prizes of $20,000 each went to Jassette Bromfield and Shanoya Pryce. Special cash awards of $10,000 each went to George Landell and Shanoya Pryce, who topped the 12-17 age group; Maxwell Smith and Karlene Blagrove, who finished first among the 35 to 49 age group, also received $10,000 each, in addition to George Allen and Thelma Lewin, who won the 50 and over category.
Gregory McKenzie of Manchester and Mereecia James, a student of G.C. Foster College, were the top professional male and female, and were awarded $10,000 each. A special cash prize of $5,000 was awarded to 79- year old Roy Thomas, the oldest participant in the 10-K run.
Among those showing their support were: Minister of Local Government and Environment and Member of Parliament for North Western Manchester, Dean Peart; Minister of State for Housing, Transport, Water and Works and Member of Parliament for North Western Clarendon, Richard Azan; Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon, Mike Henry and Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon, Pearnel Charles.
Representatives of the HEART Trust/NTA were present to provide information on their skills training programme as one of the ways to avert poverty and criminal activity.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006

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