THE inaugural John Leiba 5K Walk and Run was officially launched at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston yesterday.

The event, which is the brainchild of Leiba, was organised to assist the St Jago track-and-field programme, and will take place in the resort town of Oho Rios on July 30, starting at 6:00 am.

The National Health Fund (NHF) is the main sponsor of the event, to the tune of $500,000, with Puma, Xsomo and Nuff Talk Limited — an authorised Digicel dealer — the associate sponsors.

Rosemary Lyn, public relations officer for the NHF, praised the organisers for their efforts to raise funds for the school’s athletics programme, while noting that the NHF always has a major interest in the growth of events which promote physical activities and a healthy lifestyle.

“This event in particular is one that we’re happy to support and it’s important to us at the NHF… 5K run/walk provides an avenue for friends, family and coworkers to come together while getting their exercise quota for the week,” she reasoned.

“But perhaps more significantly… the proceeds will go towards the athletics programme of the school,” she said.

The starting point of the race will be in the vicinity of the Jamaica Grande Hotel. Athletes will run or walk eastward for 2.5 kilometres before heading back to the hotel, where the race will end in the open area on the beach. Competitors will vie for prizes in the various categories.

Meanwhile Leiba, a former St Jago student and current athletics manager, said he was pleased to get the launch off the ground and said he expects the event to continue to grow.

“I’m very happy and I must say the early article in the Observer did wonders, as it definitely helped to build the interest in this road race.

“… Right now, it’s unbelievable as the entries are coming in, especially from overseas, and for us to be getting so many entries so early is a very good sign,” he said.

“We want this to be an annual event that will grow from strength to strength, and I think it will,” he added.

According to meet director Kevin Harris, a large number of former St Jago stars, including former Olympic gold medallist Bert Cameron and former national hurdler and PUMA representative Juliet Campbell, among others, are expected to participate.

Registration will continue until Friday the 29th and this can be also be done online, at stjago.com/5k.

Meanwhile, renowned track and field analyst and commentator and former St Jago student Hubert Lawrence, who was a guest speaker at the launch, gave a background and history of the school’s prestigious athletics history, while noting the input of some of the biggest names in local track and field.