The fifth annual Digicel 5K Run, originally set for this weekend, has been postponed to Saturday, October 22 due to disruptions caused by Hurricane Matthew’s graze of Jamaica earlier this week.

“We made the decision to postpone the Digicel 5K Run in order to give the community a chance to recover from all their efforts spent on preparations for Hurricane Matthew,” said Race Director Alfred “Frano” sFrancis.

“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. To register, individuals may visit www.runningeventsja.com.

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 areJamaica 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 Center for the Deaf/Deaf Can! Coffee.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Jamaica Producers Group, Urban Development Corporation, Logo Stitch, Main Event, National Outdoor Advertising, Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd, Honeybun, Innovative Signs, Courts Jamaica Ltd, Grace Kennedy Ltd, The Lab, and ARRC Media.