Boat race, mini market part of GK Run 2017

Downtown Kingston is the place to be on Sunday, July 9. So say the organisers of the ninth annual GraceKennedy Education Run. The event, scheduled to take place in the heart of the capital city, Kingston, with the waterfront as a backdrop, promises to be fun-filled and good for the whole family.

Participants are invited to arrive at the Race Village, located at the corner of Hanover and Port Royal streets for the warm-up exercise session led by fitness trainer Stokely Rose of Train Fit Club, to begin at 5:30 a.m.

New start time

With a new start time of 6 a.m., persons can participate in a number of ways. The very fit can run the five-kilometre distance, while aiming to dethrone last year's overall winners: In the female walk segment Tracey Tapper in 33:33; male walk segment, Rohan Gordon in 27:41. The female run segment saw Chris-Ann Lewis winning in 21:09, and Ryan Chambers taking the prize in the male run segment with 16:54.

Persons can also participate in wheelchairs or walk the route starting at the corner of Port Royal Street and George's Lane, then continue left on to Duke Street, continuing on to Ocean Boulevard, left on to Port Royal Street, on to Marcus Garvey Drive, turn around at the intersection of Rum Stores Road, then on to Water Lane, right on to Pechon Street, left on to Harbour Street, right on to Fleet Street, then right on to Port Royal Street to the finish line at the Hanover Street intersection.

Several teams of six cyclists will ride a distance of 28 kilometres along the harbour starting just below the southern wall of the General Penitentiary on Michael Manley Boulevard, and riding eastwards to the Norman Manley International Airport roundabout and back. The winners will be determined by the lowest cumulative time score.

Another race, this time on water, will feature two teams (five males and five females), comprising students of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), and other followers of the boats, who will row the distance between Breezy Castle and the Bank of Jamaica. Through the Jamaica Rowing Federation's partnership with the Jamaica Paralympic Association, several differently abled athletes have been gaining good experience rowing. Among them are Laron Williamson, an above-knee amputee who will be part of the rowing team.

Post-race activities include surprise guest artistes on stage, sampling of a variety of treats, a mini-market of vendors from the Craft and Coronation markets showcasing and selling their creative work as well as fresh fruits, ground provision, and other vegetables at reasonable prices.

The GraceKennedy Education Run is a partnership with the public and other organisations to raise funds for the ever-increasing need to support students in completing secondary and tertiary education.

GraceKennedy group chief executive officer and patron for the event, Don Wehby, said the aim this year is to raise $9.5million in order to increase the number of children who are assisted with their educational development.

The event has received support from several organisations, including National Continental Bakery, Toyota Jamaica Limited, Rainforest Seafoods, Lucozade, GraceKennedy Money Services, First Global Bank, GraceKennedy Insurance, Sterling Packaging, Salada Foods, Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Macaroni Company, Running Events Ltd, Proven Wealth, Jablum, The Kingston & St Andrew Municipal Corporation, World Brands, Digicel, Hi-Lo Food Stores, GFP Canning, Hi- Lyte, Marksman, Guardsman, Pricewaterhousecoopers. The media partners include NCU Radio, The GleanerRJR Communications Group, Nationwide News Network, KOOL FM, KLAS Radio.