SUNSHINE Girls’ Nicole Dixon in a time of 24.06, Trishana Hanson in 25.31 and Annakay Griffiths in 25.40 copped the first three spots in the female category of the opening event for the three-race Everyone’s A Winner (EAW) Best Dressed Chicken Road Race Series on Sunday.

Now in its fifth year, the series, which got off to a good start at the Hope Botanical Gardens, saw 426 participants completing the 5K run event with Romaine Morrison (18.05) and Dexter Williams of Mavis Bank High School (18.48) taking the first and third spots overall among the male runners, and Ryan Chambers of the Hi Lyte Road Race Team placing second in 18.24.

Of the 226 finishers in the 6K run, Mavis Bank High School again shone with Kemar Leslie (20.44) and Oshane Walker (21.39) placing first and third overall, and Devan Dawkins of the JDF Sports Club in second. The female finishers were led by Tanya Allgrove (29.13) of Pacers Running Club, while Bank of Jamaica team members Carey Anne Williams (29.49) and Patrice Smart (32.03) were second and third, respectively.

The 193 finishers in the walk category of the 5K were led overall by Jushane Collins (31.13) of Mad Andru Boot Camp, followed by Kenardo Phillips in a time of 31.52, and Michael Lee of Body by Kurt in 32.30. Among the female finishers Paula Sinclair of Ageless Wonders took the top spot in 34.24, followed by Catherine Stewart of Bank of Jamaica in 36.06, and Sharlene Brown of Explorers Cycle Club in 37.12.

In the newly introduced stroller category, designed to encourage families with small children to participate in the event, Martin Miller in 33.35 and Jomi Spencer in 54.49 were the top male finishers with Shashu Payne from Explorers Cycle Club in 49.18 and Carlette Deleon of Breakthrough Communications in 1:02.0 leading the females.

“We strive each year to increase interest in this race by making it attractive and fun for everybody. It is a family event and that is why we always try to introduce novel family features such as the stroller category as we want parents of young children to also have the opportunity to participate and improve their fitness,” said race director Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis.

Francis said a high point of the April race will be “a special competition between members of various media houses who will be challenging each other for bragging rights in the 5K run and walk and 7K run events. The races should be very exciting and I am sure my many friends in the media are looking forward to seeing who will emerge in the top spots”, he added.

Title sponsor Best Dressed Chicken was on hand to treat participants to a tasty breakfast while entertainment was provided by Aldayne Haughton and the Ackwaaba Drummers. Other sponsors supporting the series include: Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Catherine’s Peak, Hi-Lyte, Pure Country & Jazz Fruit Punches, Pay Pak Couriers, SLEEK Photography, Bella Oasis Spa, Misting by Lumitech, the Art Printery Limited, The Hope Zoo and Reggae Marathon.

Proceeds from the series will go to assist the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and the Neurological Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Registration is now open at www.runningeventsja.com for the remaining two races in the series which will be held on Sunday, April 19 and Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 when the featured distances will be the 8K run and the 5K run and walk. The series will culminate with a special brunch.