GPS watch keeps Green on course in Kingston City Run

THE Kingston City Run, which included a 5K run, 5K walk, 10K run and a half marathon, was well supported yesterday with 2,500 registered participants.

Co-chair of the event, Christopher Jarrett, was very pleased with the support.

"We are happy with the large numbers of participants who competed in the various events, and I am also happy that the event started on time," he said.

While everything seemed to have gone okay, there were some concerns in the half marathon as several of the competitors complained about getting wrong route information from an official, which forced them to run at least three kilometres short. Only the male winner of the event, veteran Rupert Green, ran the correct route and won in 1:12.33.

first female

Green stated that because of his knowledge of the route and wearing his GPS watch it helped him to run the correct route.

"I was ahead of everyone in the race, so when the confusion happened, it did not affect me, and wearing my GPS watch helped me," said Green. "It was a good time for me in winning the event and this will definitely help me in future races in the upcoming year."

Kemar Leslie and Josette Bloomfield, who finished second and third, respectively, were not awarded with any time.

Juliet Dinall was the first female to cross the finish line in the women's half marathon, clocking 1:24.18. Another veteran athlete on the road, Karlene Blagrove, was second in 1:25.16, with third going to Janetta Robinson in 1:31.01.

Like male champion Green, Dinall stated that the race was very challenging.

"I am happy for the win, but it was very challenging and Karlene forced me to put out my best as she challenged me well in the first part of the event before I found my best form in the later stage for the win," she said.

JDFdomination

Athletes from the Jamaica Defence Force dominated the male 5K as David Bartley won in 19:06 minutes, with teammates, David Howard (19.15) and Dujohn Terrelong (19:24) placing second and third, respectively.

Sandra Aitken was tops among the males in the women's 5K, as she crossed the line in 26.26 minutes. Sofia Torres of Flirt Boutique was second in 28.04, with third going to Martina Hearne in 28.48.

Paula Sinclair of Ageless Wonders topped the Female 5K walk in 36.04, as Olivia McKoy was second in 36.34, with Latoya Walker of Fraser, Fontaine and Kong third in 39.10

On the male side, Rohan Gordon of Eden Gardens won in 30.36. Shane Pryce was second in 31.47, with third going to Andre Smith of Altamont Court hotel, in 31.51.

Five charities benefited from the event. They are Food For The Poor, Missionaries of the Poor, Marie Atkins Night Shelter, Alpha Boys' Home and Open-Arms Drop In Centre.