Gordon, Henry top CB/UWI 5K

GARFIELD GORDON of UCT Steppas and 17-year-old Janeail Henry of Wolmer’s Girls topped the male and female sections, respectively, at yesterday’s CB Group UWI 5K and Run With Passion Kids 1K at the University of West Indies, Mona.

Gordon, one of Jamaica’s top road racers, won in 15 minutes 17 seconds. Kemar Leslie, representing Rainforest Caribbean, was second in 16:19, with Noel Ellis of Life Sciences third in 16:50.

After winning the event for the fourth time, Gordon was disappointed that he did not get the competition he expected yesterday.

“I came into the race expecting great competition from schoolboys from Kingston College and Jamaica College, but they were absent, but I am still happy for the win,” said Gordon, who is hoping to dominate the National Cross Country Championships set to take place at GC Foster College on Thursday. Last month Gordon also topped the Walk for the Cure 5K Run/Walk event at Hope Botanical Gardens.

Henry easily topped her female counterparts, stopping the clock at 19 minutes 55 seconds to end 11th overall. Isabella Allen clocked 22:02 for second while national 400m runner Roneisha McGregor was third in 22 :44.

“Although I am a little bit tired, I feel very good about the win,” Henry said.

“Finishing 11th overall is also a plus for me. I am putting in some serious background work in preparation for the 2024 track and field season, and I am enjoying my first season at my new school,” added the former Holy Childhood High student who was also a winner at the Hope Botanical Gardens event.

The event, which started in 2012, is held yearly to raise funds for needy students at the University of West Indies, and chairperson of the event, Elizabeth Buchanan Hinds, along with Principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Densil Williams, were very pleased with the support.

“It was great as there was so much energy. With the weather as bad as it was, we were questioning the expected participation, but the turnout was fantastic. For me this is a passion as the students who are in need are always foremost in my mind, and seeing this big turnout means more funds for these students. I am also happy for the children who run the 1K event and seeing the joy when they are getting their medals,” Buchanan Hinds said while adding that the UWI event is the only one on the road race calendar that caters for these young children.

According to Professor Williams, education was a winner on the day.“We are exceptionally pleased and proud that Jamaicans came out to support education. We want to say a big thank you to the patrons and organisers for the extremely successful staging, and we are looking forward to it continuing in the future,” Professor Williams said.

Other results

Female overall 5K Walk

1. Paula Sinclair (UCT Steppas) 22:38

2. Juliet Reeves (unattached) 34:51

3. Debbie Ann Wright (RJRGLEANER) 35:15

Male overall 5K Walk

1. Joel Vaughn (unattached) 31:30

2. Dane Lewis (Rainforest) 33:54

3. Shavar Harrison (CB Group) 34;36