FOR the entire month of September, Running Events Jamaica will colour New Kingston blue to mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and herald the second staging of The Blue Run 5K, powered by Guardian Life Limited.

The Blue Run 5K is set for Sunday, September 22, 2024, beginning 6:00 am at Emancipation Park.

“The Blue Run 5K aims to raise awareness that prostate cancer is the leading cause of death among Jamaican men and the need for early detection, as well as to highlight the benefits of physical activity, through running, to mitigate against cancer and other lifestyle diseases,” said Alfred “Frano” Francis, race director.

Guardian Life Limited President Meghon Miller Brown championed the company’s “holistic approach” to health care.

“Guardian Life Limited is pleased to once again partner with Running Events to stage The Blue Run, an important event that promotes the importance of prostate health and prostate cancer screening. As one of the region’s leading life and health insurance providers, we support a holistic approach to health care, and we see this run as an opportunity to educate the males in our society about the importance of consistent screening for an illness that, once detected early, can be successfully treated,” she said.

“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year we encourage persons to embrace our theme of ‘Looking After Life’ in that we protect your life through our comprehensive suite of products while you take care of your life with a multidisciplinary approach to your health care. The Blue Run is certainly one of those platforms that gives our males, and their support systems, the opportunity to be proactive about their health care,” she added.

During September, the Dome at Emancipation Park in New Kingston will remain lit in blue to draw attention to The Blue Run 5K Run, and National Health Fund’s campaign for all Jamaican men over 40 who are enrolled in the NHF card programme to do the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test at a subsidised fee.

On race day, NHF will facilitate registration for the NHF health card programme. Guardian Life’s mobile unit will also be on location to carry out basic health tests, along with Heart Foundation of Jamaica. Also partnering with Running Events for the run/walk will be Jamaica Cancer Society and Brothers United Against Prostate Cancer.

Participants in The Blue Run 5K will compete in the overall male and female categories, as well asoOver 40 men and women; champion school (male and female); and largest participating group.

The route for the 2024 edition of The Blue Run 5K will begin on Oxford Road, outside Emancipation Park, and then proceed northerly along Oxford Road, left onto Old Hope Road, left onto Seymour Avenue, left onto Seaview Avenue, left onto Lady Musgrave Road, right onto Trafalgar Road, left onto Antigua Avenue, right onto Grenada Crescent, left onto Trinidad Terrace, right onto Knutsford Boulevard to the finishing line.

According to Francis, each runner or walker will receive a medal on completion of the race, while there will be lots of fun, music, and blue powder.

The T-shirts and bib collection is set for between September 19 and 21 at Running Events Jamaica, 87-89 Tower Street in Kingston.

Registration is online only at www.runningeventsja.com.