ST JAMES, Jamaica — Aston Stewart couldn’t run this year because of a niggling knee injury, but the son of Jill Stewart, in whose honour the event is named, managed to walk the route alongside his father, executive chairman of the Sandals Group, Adam Stewart.

“It’s great, very nice to see all the people that came and how it’s growing every year, we really appreciate it,” Aston told the Observer Online

“It really is a lot of fun, it’s good,” he added.

Aston was among the thousands of people who turned out for the event this morning turning Howard Cooke Boulevard into a sea of people.

“It’s awesome to see it grow every year and I would definitely encourage more young people to join up,” he stated.

Jill Stewart, the wife of Adam, died in 2023 after a brave battle with cancer. Her legacy is now enshrined in the yearly event; this was not lost on the business mogul.

“The family and I are just overwhelmed by the love and the support, and her legacy continues to be inspiring to people through health and academics. She was a trained teacher, and those were her two passions and loves,” he told the Observer

“It’s overwhelming, I’ve never seen so many people on the road at one time, hugely bigger than last year and last year we had 7,000 registered participants and more than 10,000 on the road,” he said.

“As of yesterday morning, we were at 9,500 registered, and you can see the support on the road, well over 10,000 people,” he added.

He said that what makes it incredible is that this level of support comes just months after the parish saw massive devastation.

“Coming off the back of Hurricane Melissa, this is just a testimony that nothing can break us in Montego Bay or Jamaica,” he said.

He sought to thank all those who made the event possible.

“I just have to big up Janet Silvera and the entire organisation, the whole team, the city of Montego Bay, Mayor Richard Vernon, the police, everybody for the love and support, unbelievable,” he said.

Jill Stewart plants a congratulatory kiss on the cheek of her husband Adam after he was invested with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for outstanding service to tourism and the hotel sector.