Ram Goat Run gets two ‘horns’ up
BEFORE daybreak last Saturday, close to 100 cars gathered for the inaugural cross-country road challenge, Ram Goat Run, at the Caymanas Golf and Polo Club in St Catherine.
The contestants — which comprised sub-10 king Asafa Powell, who was celebrating his birthday, motorsport ethusiasts, business executives, and musicians — all converged in the name of charity. The event’s proceeds were in aid of the paediatric wing of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James.
“In the era of boring charity dinners, this is a charity event with a difference all can enjoy,” Adam Stewart, Sandals/ATL Group’s CEO, told the crowd ahead of the 8:30 am start.
Team Odd One’s Kayann Ramlal was the first person to be registered for the event. She said after reading about the event in Auto, she felt compelled to enter.
“We arrived at five minutes to six. I don’t live at the end of the world, but it’s all for charity. I have a son and we have to take care of the babies,” she said.
Stewart got several thumbs up from his fun-loving Corporate Jamaica sponsors.
“It’s always a pleasure working with ATL, and Ram Goat Run was a perfect fit for our brand. It was new, innovative and for a good cause,” said Ugo Fiorenzo, senior market director at J Wray & Nephew.
The contestants then left the venue en route to Buccaneer’s Jerk Centre in Llanrumney in Port Maria, St Mary, via Ocho Rios, St Ann while completing the challenges. They eventually headed back to the polo club via Junction main road.
The key to victory was to gain as many points by completing challenges in each of the three zones along the route that looped back to Caymanas. Challenges ranged from proposing to complete strangers on the side of the road to taking a dip fully clothed in the nearest body of water. Teams had to document their activities online by uploading their pictures to the Ram Goat Run social media site. Bonus points were awarded for those good enough to get a team snap with the elusive ATL Ram Goat.
At the end of the day, Goat Islanders were announced as the winners. The team went home with a trophy and a prize package which included a weekend for two at an overseas Sandals Resort for each member, electronics from ATL and $20,000 in gas vouchers.
Completing the podium finish was first runner-up, team Three Girls With One Guy, and in third place was the all-girl team Road Runners.
Despite not having a podium finish, Ramlal said she had fun.
“The camaradrie was great. The vibe was good,” she said. “I was a little tired at the end, though, as I did all the driving.”
Jason Younis of Team Goatbusters concurred with Ramlal.
“This was a great event for team spirit and we’re looking forward to next year’s staging,” he said.
