The Trelawny Infirmary will this year be the beneficiary of the JN Foundation Heroes in Action Run/Walk.

The third staging of the event, which will take place on Sunday, October 15, was launched at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel last Wednesday.

The proceeds from the event, which will take place under the theme “Run For Our Heroes”, will be donated to the Trelawny Infirmary, at Falmouth to upgrade and refurbish the facility, which houses some 62 residents.

Saffery Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that this year’s theme is very significant, with the focus being placed on improving the welfare of the home for the elderly.

“Our elders are the backbone of the society. They have contributed to building our country. We therefore, thought it fitting to put the spotlight on our elderly through the upgrading of the Trelawny Infirmary, this year,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Sports Olivia Grange said that events such as these tied in perfectly with that of her ministry.

“This event fits in with the government’s sports policy which is to create a dynamic and enabling environment in which persons can enjoy and excel in sports at all levels while building strong bonds within communities while keeping fit and so this event is one that the ministry endorses and one that we would like to see go from strength to strength.”

The Usain Bolt Foundation has again endorsed the run and will work in concert with the JN Foundation to generate the participation of a good number of runners and walkers.

Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton in endorsing the event said it was the responsibility of his ministry to promote a healthy lifestyle among the people of Jamaica.

“The ministry of health has a responsibility to promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle. This is borne out of the data-supported fact that most Jamaicans suffer from lifestyle-related diseases. We are attempting to be proactive in helping to promote prevention even while we support activities to deal with the curative side in the hospitals and clinics and so on.

“The ministry has several initiatives, the most visible one being the Jamaica Moves initiative which was launched as an attempt to mobilise Jamaicans to engage in increased physical activity. The data supports a 30-minute workout per day to reduce your risk as well as better consumption habits,” he continued.

The JN Foundation Heroes in Action Run/Walk is the second in a six-race series in the Jamaica Moves initiative, which is geared towards corporate entities getting their employees to engage in increased physical activity.

The warm-up for Heroes in Action Run/Walk will take place at 6:30 am at the Falmouth Port in Trelawny and the event will start at 7:00 am. The post-run celebration, featuring an awards ceremony, will be held at the same venue.

This year’s Run/Walk will include two routes: The 4K Fun Run and 10K Run for runners and walkers will start and end at the Falmouth Pier. Persons can visit the JN Foundation and Running Events websites at www.jnfoundation.com or www.runningeventsja.com to view the route maps and also register. Participants can also register at any JN branch or Money Shop islandwide.

Individual forms are to be submitted before close of registration at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.