The European Union (EU)–Jamaica 5K & 10K Run will benefit three schools this year.

The event, which is being staged in downtown Kingston on Sunday, March 10, is being run to boost literacy in children and will benefit Edward Seaga Primary, St Andrew Primary, and Holy Family Primary, which are all located in nearby communities.

The proceeds will fund a literacy summer camp for these schools.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘All Together Against Crime and Violence’ and Olympian Megan Tapper has been named as the event’s official patron.

Tapper says such a project is vital to Jamaica at this time because of the number of at-risk youth in society.

“I am very honoured to be chosen as the patron for this event,” she said at the official launch on Wednesday. “Using literacy and numeracy to help fight crime and violence in Jamaica is very important and the results they saw last year were really good. I’m incredibly impressed about what happened last year and what will happen this year with the three schools that have been chosen as beneficiaries.”

EU Ambassador to Jamaica Marianne Van Steen says the race is the EU and Government’s collective effort to raise awareness of the importance of what she describes as an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to fighting the causes of crime and violence.

“Collaboration and partnership underpin this event,” she said. “It is about showing how uniting around a common cause can bring about change within society in a meaningful way and how much can be achieved when stakeholders and citizens come together.”

The race is in its second year and organisers hope to increase last year’s 2,000 participants to 3,000. Race director Alfred Francis, of Running Events Jamaica, says each participant is important because they all play a role in enacting social change in Jamaica. He recalls the impact last year’s event had on him where Kingston High School benefited similarly through a camp hosted by Creative Language Based Learning (CLBL).

“I was totally moved by that interaction between CLBL and Kingston High,” he said. “I learnt a lot. The methodology used in teaching those kids is wonderful. We look forward to widening this and I’m glad to see that we’re moving from one, not to two, but to three schools.”

Last year’s event covered only the 5k distance but its success has led organisers to include a 10k run this year. Francis says downtown Kingston provides a scenic route for participants.

“Downtown Kingston is a cultural mecca and the racecourse is a beautiful and scenic route that family and friends can come out and enjoy as they take in Kingston’s rich cultural heritage, the beautiful Artwalk and coastal boardwalk, all while supporting a great cause,” he said.

Each entrant’s bib will include a chip which provides electronic timing of their performance.

The day starts with warm-up exercises at 6 am, then the race at 6:30 am.

The start takes place at the corner of Port Royal Street and George’s Lane and the race continues along Ocean Boulevard, Pechon Street, Harbour Street, King Street, Water Lane, East Street, then back on to Harbour Street before heading to Michael Manley Boulevard. The 5k turns unto Paradise Street before finishing at Port Royal Street while the 10k continues along the Boulevard before making a U-turn at Hyslope Avenue, then finishing at the corner of Port Royal and Hanover streets.

— Rachid Parchment