Organisers of the second staging of the Montego Bay Night Run, put on by the Howard Ward Benefit Foundation, were pleased with the record turnout of over 5,000 participants, which they said exceeded their expectations, on Saturday, April 5.

Foundation Chairman Howard Ward was beaming as he greeted runners and walkers at the finish line, just outside Harmony Beach Park on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.

“We have started planning for 2016 and beyond,” Ward said. “We are very happy with this turn out and we had to turn back a lot of the last minute ones who came to register as we ran out of bibs.”

The event, which is being staged to help raise funds for students, targeted 5,000 participants and $15 million. It attracted 3,200 participants last year.

The event, which also had a soca party at Harmony Beach Park and had the logo “Come for the run, stay for the fun”, was moved to the Jimmy Cliff Boulevard from Fairview Complex.

Garfield Gordon won the men’s 5K run race while French visitor Cecile Heinrich took the women’s section.

Gordon, who said he was preparing for a 25K race in the eastern Caribbean later this month, is pleased with his time of 15:58.00 minutes in his first time running at the event.

Gordon, who is coming off a 32-minute run at a 10K race in Kingston, described the course as ideal.

“It was flat, with just a little incline here and there,” he said.

Kemar Leslie was second in 16:43.00 minutes, with Marvin Hamilton third in 17:45.00 minutes.

Heinrich, who told the Sunday Observer she had been here for about six months and was a regular runner with Pacers in Kingston, said she had not entered the race thinking she could win it.

“I always say that I don’t really run for winning, I run for health,” she said. “But when I get to the start line, I cant help myself.”

She was timed at 21:03.00 minutes.

“The course was hard, but it was so good,” she said. “The view on the way back, looking over the bay with the lights, its absolutely marvellous, this is a beautiful city.”

Dandie Williams was second overall in 21:52.00 minutes, with 13 year-old Alana Hall third in 22:46.00 minutes.

Rushane Pine won the men’s walk race ahead of Roje Vassell and Romario Stephens, while MacKaiba Thomas was first in the women’s race.

Howard Ward (left), chairman of the Howard Ward Benefit Foundation congratulates Garfield Gordon, the winner of the men’s 5K, at the second MoBay Night Run on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard on April 5, 2025. (Photo: Paul Reid)