THE third staging of the Kingston City Run Half Marathon 10K and 5K Run/Walk race, set for March 13-15, will be targeting the homeless as organisers plan to raise over $4 million dollars for five charities this year.

Nicola Madden-Greig, co-chair of the organising committee, revealed the five charities as Food For The Poor, Marie Atkins Night Shelter, Open Arms Drop-In Shelter, Missionaries of the Poor and the Alpha Boys School.

“Over the last three years we have raised $4.5 million for these charities and this year we want to move from the $2.5 million we raised last year, closer to the $4 million point. We need everybody’s participation,” said Madden-Greig, who is the president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

“The past three years we have supported several charities, and in Kingston we do have a lot of homeless people that are on the streets and as the economic conditions sometimes worsen, people for whatever reasons find themselves in difficult times,” Madden-Greig noted.

She continued: “So we as a team decided that this is something we wanted to focus on because it is important that we look at the least of our brothers and help them.”

The three-day event will incorporate three separate races that are designed to give participants a scenic and cultural view of Kingston.

The races will start at Trafalgar Road and make their way past some of the capital’s most iconic spots in Devon House to the Bob Marley Museum and to Hope Gardens before returning to the finish line at the Emancipation Park.

This year the organisers have included a fan zone in collaboration with Pulse Investment along the course and there will be a “Fashionista” Award and Mascot Run.

Apart from the main race days, participants can start the weekend off at the Bacchanal Welcome Party on Friday March 13, then attend the Lifestyle Experience Expo and pre-race party on Saturday.

The event enjoys strong corporate support with over 45 organisations on board in a concerted effort to seize the opportunity to be a part of efforts to project brand Kingston to the world.

Grace Morrison, marketing executive of the Norman Manley International Airport, will be on hand at that point of entry to welcome persons to Kingston.

“We are the gateway of choice to the beautiful capital city of Kingston. We are very happy to be on board again. Not only will it (event) raise the profile of Kingston, a destination that we serve, but the charities that it gives to also close to what we do as an airport,” said Morrison.

“For those who are coming in, we are ready to give you a warm Jamaican welcome at the airport. This support is here to stay,” she added.

Meanwhile, deputy Director of Tourism Jason Hall said events like these provide us with the opportunity to generate additional visitors to our country.

“It also enables us to carry positive international media exposure to the destination which is almost as important as getting people here,” Hall pointed out.

Garen Williams of Carib Cement noted this Kingston City Run is important to his organisation.

“We are pleased with the cross section of persons and the growing numbers this (City Run) has been attracting. Carib Cement has built this city and we are pleased to promote the run around this city.

“We invite you to come out and run around the city, shout as much as you want, because unlike the city of Jericho, that wall won’t come falling down,” said Williams, to much laughter.