Ronique Williams again crowned ‘MoBay City Run’
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Ronique Williams retained his 10K title at yesterday’s third staging of the MoBay City Run, clocking 36 minutes and 10 sections over the distance.
“This was the hardest run for me yet, but I could not miss the opportunity to defend my title and to run for a worthy cause,” said the third-time champion.
Over 2,600 runners and walkers descended on the streets of the resort city for the charity run which provides scholarships for needy tertiary students across western Jamaica.
Rainforest Seafoods dominated the female class for the 5K and 10 K runs with Chriss-Ann Lewis and Julliet Dinnal securing the 10K and 5K victories in 45 minutes and 11 seconds and 21 minutes and 47 seconds respectively.
“I felt really proud of myself for coming first being that this is my first time entering such an event,” said Dinnal.
She also praised the organisers for staging the event, adding that she believes that education is the only way out of poverty.
Horace Burey, who won the 5K male class in 18 minutes and 10 seconds, also commended the organisers for the event.
“More of these kinds of events should take place in Montego Bay as this is the second city. Quite a lot of runners would welcome such an event,” he argued.
UCT Steppers’ Paula Sinclair and Go Run Running Club’s Andre Smith won the walk category in 33 minutes 57 seconds and 28: 06 respectively.
Last year, the event raised over $3 million, which was awarded to more than 100 students attending tertiary institutions in western Jamaica.
Event coordinator Janet Silvera expressed thanks to the city of Montego Bay for supporting the event.
“We have seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of participants, with more than 80 per cent of that increase coming from corporate entries. This signals a definite buy-in from the business community that sustained education is one of the most important mantles on their agenda,” said Silvera.
RIU was awarded the corporate award for the largest team with 403 participants. Scotiabank and Sandals Resorts had over 200 participants each.
