Running Events Jamaica Managing Director Alfred Francis says virtual 5K races are still important despite society’s return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lockdown of towns across the island, and the world, meant a restriction of movement to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus but it also put a stop to most sporting events, including 5K and 10K walk-run races.

In response, organisers of walk-run races around the world, including Running Events Jamaica decided to continue staging their meets but in a virtual format.

Participants could compete remotely by running or walking the distance of the race on their treadmills or in a private space that allows for the distance to be met. They would then upload their times to the race organisers’ site where they would be ranked among all competitors.

But the eventual return to normalcy after the pandemic meant races were once again held on streets and fewer persons opted to compete virtually.

“I don’t think it is the same, because persons can come out but it will remain relevant because we recognise that people used to physical logistics can be a part of something when they’re even away,” Francis said.

But although this is the case, Francis says people are still finding value in virtual participation.

“You have persons who want to be a part of the experience and they’re not able to physically make it on the race day,” he said. “So, they enter, and they get a virtual bib. They do the 5.5 km distance on their own and they send in their times and they get a certificate. The beneficiaries then benefit from their contribution.”

Running Events found that virtual competition is still popular among not only the diaspora but also individuals from other countries interested in local events.

“We have had a recent event where people in Lithuania participated virtually,” Francis said. “There were people from all over the world – Portugal, Spain, France and these are not Jamaicans living in these countries. I remember mailing out three packages last week to persons in Lithuania, so it’s all good. In the diaspora, you can be a part of a wonderful event and an event with unmatched integrity.”

Francis mentioned a recent walk-race in aid of the Spanish Town Hospital where nurses, who could not participate on the actual race day because of work commitments, were still able to compete on their own time.

He hopes this will be the case at the Sagicor Sigma Honour Run this Sunday for which the Savanna-La-Mar (Sav-La-Mar) Public General Hospital is set to benefit. Francis wants staff at that hospital to get involved. The race takes place on the streets of New Kingston and Half-Way-Tree, measuring a distance of 5.5 km.

“Let’s say you want to go down by Emancipation Park where you know there’s a designated course of 500m a lap,” he said. “You can go there and do 11 laps and you’ll know you did your part. What if you live in Sav-La-Mar and you can’t come, like the staff at Sav-La-Mar Hospital? You can do your 5.5 in Sav-La-Mar. You register online, get your bibs, and feel a part of the Sigma vibe and Sigma contribution.

“So, we’re asking persons to support it.”

Organisers of this year’s race are hoping to attract 26,050 participants and have a target of $100 million in proceeds also for the Danny Williams School for the Deaf and the National Chest Hospital. Williams, who founded the Sagicor Foundation, passed last year and this year’s event is being staged in his honour.

— Rachid Parchment