MONTEGO BAY, St James — Executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart is encouraging organisers of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run (JSMCR) to elevate the event by introducing a half-marathon in its 10th-anniversary staging next year.

The annual race, which currently features a 5K walk, 5K run, and 10K run, has become a fixture on Montego Bay’s sporting calendar.

“I know the mayor will support us. I think it will bring the next level to the town; and not only that, I think it will push boundaries and take things to the next level. So let’s work it out for next year,” said Stewart, who is also executive chairman of the Jamaica Observer.

“Things like this run do much more than the five or the 10k in and of itself. It pulls our city together. It unifies us overall. It is marrying wellness, charity, state of mind, and, of course, benefiting education,” he added during Monday’s media launch of the run/walk at Sandals Montego Bay.

Stewart’s vision of taking the event up a notch is in line with those of run organiser Janet Silvera. She announced that the goal is to raise at least $10 million in sponsorship to mark the 10th anniversary of the event.

“Next year we will be 10 years old, and I will be making a commitment right here and now that we will give $10 million next year to education. Very important. This year we will give $8 million. We might just do better, but I’m just committing to $10 million,” she said.

Silvera also announced plans to launch the event in the American cities of Miami and New York next year.

She told the Observer that the Jamaica Tourist Board will be approached to partner with the organisers to launch the event abroad.

The event is slated to be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025 and its proceeds will be donated to students in St James who need help to continue their education.

Meanwhile, organisers also announced plans to introduce an awards ceremony, named ‘Champions of the West’, which will target high school students, in June.

“Athletes will be selected by their sports coordinators following the criteria that the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run special committee will set. For our first year, the sports will include football, swimming, basketball, track and field and tennis,” committee member Ashley Anguin announced.

She explained that students will be selected from five parishes: Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, Trelawny, and St Elizabeth.

“A total of 10 awards will be given away: eight in name of our sponsors, with an additional $50,000 to go towards their education and sports development. Sponsors like JetBlue, VIP Attractions, Catalonia, Rainforest Seafood, etcetera. The top awards will be named JSMCR Sports Boy and Girl of The Year. These awardees will receive $100,000,” Anguin explained.

Last year the event was renamed the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run in honour Stewart’s late wife who was one of its biggest supporters.

On Monday, the Sandals boss reiterated his family’s gratitude that the event bears her name.

“This is everything that Jill would have wanted to be a part of. I said it last year. I’ll say it again this year, it is the greatest gesture that could have happened to rename the MoBay City Run to the Jill Stewart Montego Bay City Run. And on behalf of my family and I, we are deeply, deeply grateful,” Stewart said.

The Jill Stewart MoBay City Run will begin and end at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay.

Silvera founded the charity event for needy tertiary students 11 years ago. This year is the ninth staging, because COVID-19 prevented the 2021 and 2022 editions.