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'Good Samaritans' turn out in numbers for annual 5K run

Posted on Aug 29 2017

Kemar Leslie and Karlene Blagrove were crowned men’s and women’s champions in the annual Good Samaritan Health Run/Walk in Kingston on Sunday.

Leslie clocked 16.01 minutes, the same time as he recorded to win last year’s event, with Ryan Chambers finishing second in 16.07 minutes and Kemar Ennis third in 16.51.

Blagrove returned after a short hiatus to take the women’s top spot in 21.55 minutes, as Faith Browne, in 23.45 minutes, was second, and Stephanie Cockburn third in 27.52.

The route took participants from the Andrews Memorial SDA Church, 29 Hope Road to Trafalgar Road, through the New Kingston business district, on to Lady Musgrave Road; ending at the original start location. 

Both Leslie and Blagrove said that they had issues on Saturday, which could have changed their fortune.

Leslie said, “I think the race was difficult because I had a great competitor in Ryan Chambers and I didn’t get a lot of rest Saturday. Coming home from work I had a serious toothache, but I came out here determined to win and that’s what I did.”

Blagrove said, “when you are out late (the previous night) celebrating a sweet 16 party, to come out here and run, and win, I am happy for that. I have been competing but the times have been a little down, so I am getting back up there.”

Among the approximately 650 participants were Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton and Senator Floyd Morris, who acted as patron of this year’s event.

According to Tufton, his participation is part of the Ministry’s move to encourage Jamaicans to Get Moving, a campaign that was started recently. It involves companies signing up and participating in road races.

Tufton said, “well I am participating for a number of reasons. First of all, it is for a worthy cause, but also importantly, it is promoting a very important policy message from the Ministry of Health, which is prevention through more physical activities and through a healthy diet.

“It is very important towards reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, which is a big challenge that we face as a country as 70 percent of our deaths are linked lifestyle diseases,” he said.

Manager of Good Samaritan Inn, Vermont Murray said, “for this ongoing ministry of feedings, clothing, overnight facility and health care, it requires finance. It takes cash to care and so the Andrews Memorial Church has planned this 5k, the proceeds of which, go towards enhancing the ministry of the Good Samaritan.

“From the proceeds, other charities like Missionaries of the Poor, the Open Arms Drop in Centre, also benefit from the 5k,” he said.

According to Murray, the organisers fell short of this year’s projected target, but the hope is that more sponsors will still come on board, for them to achieve this.

Good Samaritan is a drop-in centre that is run by the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh Day Adventists and the Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries, that cater for the needy in the society.

This story was officially published by Loop Jamaica here.