Sandy Bay, HANOVER — Last year’s 10K champions Christopher Mills and Karlene Blagrove retained their titles at the Tryall Club CUMI Come Run 2014 clocking 39:20 and 45:10 minutes, respectively, on Saturday.

“I did it again! was the first thought I had crossing the finish line,” said an excited Mills, who admitted the win was unexpected.

“It’s always a great feeling winning, but I wasn’t completely ready and I didn’t put in as much training as I should.”

Blagrove, who journeyed all the way from Manchester to compete, said, “It was a good but challenging run.”

It was a winning day for the Xerox company that also copped the 5K trophy with first-time entrant Delon Maxwell, who ran 19:10 minutes.

“The race was enjoyable but challenging. I have been training for a long time for this. I feel great. I didn’t look back and I said to myself — I can, I will, I must,” said Maxwell.

Xerox also copped the special corporate award for the largest group.

Jane Clauson, the fastest female 5K runner, clocked a winning time of 23:32 minutes. Behind her was 57-year-old Sandra Aiken, who placed second in 24.54 minutes.

Shernette Campbell of Sunset Beach Resort and Kirth Dean Atkinson, also of Xerox, clocked 40:36 and 36:36 minutes, respectively.

CUMI thankful

“It was a particularly good year and the turnout was fantastic,” said CUMI nurse administrator Joy Crooks, who noted that the support was tremendous for the organisation that specialises in the rehabilitation of the mentally ill.

“We really appreciate the persons who came on board to make the event a success. The participation was full of positive energy and everything about it was extra special,” she said.

Five hundred and twenty-five persons participated in the event.

All proceeds from the 5K and 10K Run/Walk event will go directly into the CUMI trust fund to assist psychologically challenged individuals in St James and its environs.

This year’s run utilised electronic bib tag timing, which gave participants their results immediately after crossing the finish line. This service was provided free of charge by Running Events.

Crooks also gave thanks to the sponsors, participants and volunteers who made the sixth year an impressive one.

Sponsors of this year’s run were Tryall Club, JMMB, Rainforest Seafood, CPJ, Fontana, National Health Fund, Sandals Foundation, National Bakery, Captain Watersports, Xerox, Heart Smart Centre, Cargo Handlers, Coldwell Bankers, Jamaica Realty, Guardian Group, Wata, Reggae Tech and Orijin.

Anthony Mills looks relieved after crossing the finish line to win the 10K section of the Tryall Club CUMI Come Run, held on Saturday.

Karlene Blagrove crosses the finish line with ease at the recent Tryall Club CUMI Come Run to retain her 10K title.

Jane Clauson emerged the winning female of the 5K section.