Aquamarines sweep Swim for the Sanctuary 5K

AQUAMARINES Ripples swept Saturday’s 5K events at the annual Jamaica Inn Foundation Swim for the Sanctuary open-water event, Charles McIntosh and Alexis Anglin clocking 1:16.34 and 1:41.19, respectively, in the male and female divisions at Shaw Park Beach, Ocho Rios, St Ann.

McIntosh finished more than three minutes clear of Ricardo Davis, 1:19.48, whereas Y-Speedos’ Mateo Cheng HinMee placed third in 1:20.42.

Y-Speedos took two of the three tops spots in the male 3K, Matthew Kennedy winning in 44.33 ahead of Aquamarines’ Akeem Nicely, 46.03, who edged out Kennedy’s teammate, Brandon Wong, 46.07.

The female 3K was won by Alyssa Jefferson, 46.17, ahead of the Tornadoes Swim Club pair, Kai Lawson and Emanuelle Spence, finishing in 49.33 and 53.01, respectively.

Y-Speedos, 8.46, won the 4x100m relay by a thrilling nine seconds ahead of Tornadoes, 8.55, with Vikings and Friends third in 9.01.

Kyle Mais, director, Jamaica Inn Foundation, described the turnout for the fourth staging of the event as “great”, considering having to reschedule from November 2 due to rough seas and rainy weather, which threatened up to Friday but cleared up overnight.

“The weather has been perfect for us, compared to the original schedule when it would have been a wonderful day for a surfing competition,” Mais mused.

“It was good to see all the swim clubs and youngsters participating. Open-water swimming is now an Olympic event and very popular. The paddle-board event continues to grow, especially for those who don’t really want to get into the water,” he added.

Internationally recognised, Swim for the Sanctuary is staged annually, the first Saturday in November, as a major fundraiser for the White River Fish Sanctuary, a 400-acre no-fishing zone, established in 2015.

Proceeds from the event fund operations of the fish sanctuary, which is manned by local fishers whose livelihood depends on the protection of marine life and preservation of coral reefs, where fish spawn.

Kemmar Lewis of partner-sponsor Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ) said the event is in line with CPJ’s Care Protect Jamaica Foundation, which “protects what cannot protect itself”.

“We implore Jamaicans to support events like Swim for the Sanctuary, which will always have CPJ’s support,” said Lewis.

Gabrielle Curling, senior brand manager of new sponsor Massy Distribution, pointed out that at least two of its products on offer for tasting and sampling at the event, Bumble Bee Tuna and Banana Boat sunscreen, were vastly different items but perfect examples of why marine life and the sea were important to the blue economy.

Scotia Insurance returned as gold sponsor for Swim For The Sanctuary, debuting its blue-clad ‘Ecoman’ mascot, declaring himself in action-hero words as “protector of the world, the land, air and seas”.

CPJ was again joined by partners Jamaica Inn, Jamaica Tourist Board, Tourism Enhancement Fund and Jamaica Inn Foundation, as well as sponsors Couples Resorts, Rainforest, WATA, IronRock Insurance, S Hotels, Marksman, What Party?, Mr Rehab, Smatt’s Rum, Proforma Marketing and One Great Studio.

Full Swim for the Sanctuary results can be viewed at https://my.raceresult.com/277723/results#0_A5DD6E.