KINGSTON, Jamaica; The 3rd annual CB Group UWI 5K Run/Walk and Smart Eggs Kids K was launched on Wednesday, September 17 at the UWI-Usain Bolt Track. The 2014 edition of the race is being held under the patronage of the Honourable Douglas Orane, CD and Mr. Howard Mitchell in honour of race director Alfred ‘Franno’ Francis who has led from the front in advocacy, through road races, for healthier lifestyle practices in Jamaica.
This year the goal is to double the number of registrants and to raise $15 million to continue funding the scholarship initiative as well as to finance the purchase of much needed equipment for the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Dialysis Unit. The event last year recorded 3,000 registered participants and raised $10 million. This has brought the total to $28 million over two years, making it the most successful 5K in Jamaica based on the ratio of participants to funds raised. The proceeds go directly into student development through sporting and academic scholarships.
Mathew Lyn, Chief Operations Officer of the CB Group, gave an emotional take on the involvement of the company as he read from a letter he received from a student needing financial aid to reiterate the position that remarkable students are out there in need of help.
“I receive letters like this every day from students and youngsters who a have excellent track records but who need the assistance to fund tertiary education. We decided to follow through with the UWI 5K event as it is a mechanism which can directly make a difference in the lives of those who are awarded the scholarships. It is a tool for nation building and I urge everyone who has not participated to come out and support this absolutely worthy cause,” said Lyn.
The event, which will begin and end at the UWI Mona Bowl, is slated for Sunday, November 16 with the 5K run scheduled for 7:00 a.m. followed by the Kids K at 8:00 a.m. Olympians Warren Weir and Hansle Parchment will accompany the children (ages 4-11) as they compete around a specially designed course.
Professor Ishenkumba Albert Kahwa, Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus also noted the importance of the CB Group UWI 5K initiative during his presentation.
“In my capacity I have seen firsthand, the struggles that these students face in funding their education and with this event lies a great opportunity for the entire Jamaican community to come together to support the educational advancement of a group of extraordinary young people. This coupled with the inclusion of a new element of the race, which is generating funds to aid the purchase of much needed equipment for the University Hospital’s Dialysis Unit, makes this event a truly special one,” said Professor Ishenkumba Albert Kahwa.
The CB Group UWI 5K and Smart Eggs Kids K will be held on Sunday, November 16 at 7:00 a.m. at the UWI Mona Bowl with funds being raised to support the University’s Scholarship Fund and aid the purchase of equipment for the UHWI Dialysis Unit. This year’s sponsors are the CB Group, Smart Eggs, National Baking Company, Supreme Ventures Ltd., The European Union, Sterling Asset Management, Rainforest Seafoods Ltd., Jamaica National Building Society, Port Authority, Restaurants of Jamaica, Mayberry Investments Ltd., Shipping Association of Jamaica, Island Grill, All Wrapped Up and The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.