Second EU-Jamaica 5/10K Run Set for March 10

The second staging of the European Union (EU)-Jamaica 5K and 10K Run is slated for Sunday, March 10 in downtown Kingston.

The event, which aims to bring together 3,000 participants, will be held under the theme ‘All Together Against Crime and Violence’.

This year’s patron is Olympian, Megan Tapper, who copped Jamaica’s first medal in the 100-metre hurdles at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Addressing Wednesday’s (January 31) media launch at the European Union Delegation Office in Kingston, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, said the event is a remarkable celebration of the enduring partnership between the EU and Jamaica.

“It’s more than just a race. It’s a powerful symbol of our shared commitment to fostering peace, security and development in Jamaica. We are affirming our dedication to tackling the pressing challenges that confront our society,” she stated.

Proceeds from the run will go towards funding a literacy summer camp for three educational institutions – Edward Seaga Primary School, Holy Family Primary School and St. Andrew Primary School in Kingston.

“We know that these initiatives work. I would like for us to find the resources to scale them up across hundreds of schools in Jamaica. We have some 1,010 primary and high schools and, at varying levels, we’d love to see a significant improvement in literacy in our schools,” Mrs. Williams said.

EU Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen, noted that tackling crime and violence requires the involvement of all Jamaicans.

She said the EU is keen on supporting Jamaica’s sustainable development agenda, which directly impacts the quality of life for all citizens.

“We have a very important programme which consists of supporting the Government, the CSOs (civil society organisations) and many actors in this lovely island that are actually working very hard to put an end to crime and violence,” Ambassador Van Steen said.

For her part, State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, noted that Jamaica’s partnership with the EU has been fruitful.

She pointed out that through technical assistance, Jamaica has made significant advances in establishing robust data collection, which is critical to identifying issues, generating solutions and deciding how to use funding.

“We remain cognisant that we cannot do it alone and that our citizens are critical to sustained success. The 5K and 10K event is truly symbolic, as citizens are invited in a tangible way to give their support. It is expected that this year will be bigger and better, with more Jamaicans lending their support to improve citizen security with a small step or walk or run,” Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn stated.

Registration for the EU-Jamaica 5K and 10K run opens on February 1 and closes on February 29.

Individuals and groups can register at www.runningeventsja.com.

The cost per participant is $2,000 and covers a race day T-shirt and bib with a chip.