KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Digicel 5k run that was scheduled for this weekend has been postponed to Saturday, October 22, due to the near passage of Hurricane Matthew earlier this week.

According to a news release from the telecommunications company, the decision was made to postpone the run in order to give the community a chance to recover from all their efforts spent on preparations for Hurricane Matthew.

Race Director Alfred Francis said: “The support of the participants is vital to the success of this worthwhile event, so we need to ensure that they are able to get their affairs in order first. That way, they’ll be able to comfortably come out and giving their energies and time to supporting Jamaica’s special-needs community.”

According to Francis, several plans for the 5k were put on hold to facilitate preparations for the hurricane, which had been expected to make a strong impact on the country between Sunday and Monday.

With registration numbers continuing to swell, the deadline for registration has also been extended to October 14.

Proceeds from this year’s race will go towards supporting the infrastructural and developmental needs of Jamaica’s special-needs community.

Nine organisations will benefit from this year’s staging. These are the Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, Early Stimulation Plus, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Mustard Seed Communities, Special Olympics Jamaica, Jamaica Paralympic Association, Abilities Foundation, and the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf/Deaf Can! Coffee.