Archibald, Blagrove win Heroes in Action 10k

Oshane Archibald and Karlene Blagrove both dominated their respective 10K Run challenge at Sunday's JN Foundation Heroes in Action Run/Walk 2017 in Falmouth, Trelawny, that had well over 1,600 people locally and abroad participating in solidarity for the charity and fitness.

Blagrove, who less than a month ago copped the CUMI Come Run's female 10K event, repeated her winning ways with a time of 46.11 ahead of William Knibb High School's Chrisy Granville (47.34) and Muschett High's Ashanti Carrol (47.39).

"The route itself was a good route but it rained a little so it was very slippery and challenging, but I maintained my pace and pull through," said the 46-year-old Spanish Town runner who represented Pacers Running Club.

Archibald, on the other hand, told The Gleaner that he feels extraordinary, as his intent was to come out and have fun, and not necessarily to win the male 10k run, which he did on a time of 33.57. His runners up were Nickoy Harding who clocked 35.57 and Lucien Graham who registered 36.40.

Kemar Leslie of Rainforest Seafood took reign in the 4K run on a time of 13.43 while his female counterpart, Tamasha Smith of Jamaica National Bank, finished on a time of 18.57.

FEELING GOOD

"In just a little over a month I did Colour Run in Hope Gardens in Kingston, then went to CUMI Come Run at Tryall and now this event, and I've won all three so I am feeling good and jolly," said the 30-year-old Leslie.

The Trelawny Infirmary is the beneficiary of this year's third staging of the charity which JN Foundation has always partnered on with the Usain Bolt Foundation. The sprint legend himself was even at the event to give his time and support of the humanitarian effort, stating that "the elders are the ones who set the stage for us so in any way we can give back to make them more conformable is a pleasure."

A cheque valued at $500,000 was presented to the infirmary which Dunstan Harper, Chairman for the Poor Relief Department at the Trelawny infirmary, noted will go in aid of infrastructure rehabilitation efforts.

"The dining area is a little bit uncomfortable because some of the benches need to change, be more recreational for the residents and have them in a more comfortable environment," Harper outlined. "The other issue is vehicle to transport residents to the hospital when they are ill. We would like for the infirmary to have a vehicle of its own so it can have immediate access to transport them in the event of an emergency," he added while expressing thanks to JN.

The Managing Director of JN Bank, Maureen Hayden Cater, said the turn out this year is testament that people are willing to aid their fellow countrymen and women once rallied behind a cause.

"This is more than just giving a cheque, it is to get people to come and support other people, and that is what this is all about," she noted.