AFTER seeing major growth in the Jill Stewart Mobay City Run, founder and Chairman Janet Silvera believes the long-term impact will significantly change the lives of youth in western Jamaica.

The 10th staging of the event, renamed in honour of executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart’s late wife, took place on Sunday in Montego Bay, St James.

Over 10,000 turned up at Howard Cooke Boulevard, with Garfield Gordon winning the men’s 5K in under 16 minutes while Tracy-Ann Vernon took the women’s equivalent in just under 24 minutes.

“It was incredibly fulfilling. While I watched the crowd and saw the massive turnout, I really wanted to cry,” Silvera told the Jamaica Observer.

“I’m accustomed to it doing well but I never anticipated the kind of support that we got — even though I thought we were nearing that 10,000 number that we have been predicting. You predict [favourable] things but, you know, you still understand that things can change adversely. That wasn’t the case today. People from all walks of life, from all over the world, came out in support of the cause.”

Prior to the run, the aim was to raise $10 million to support schools and tertiary students across western Jamaica who were impacted by Hurricane Melissa last October.

However, the total could rise further, as Silvera revealed multiple sponsors came on board less than 48 hours before the event.

She said stakeholders are passionate about helping the education sector in the west get back on its feet.

“For instance, Maggotty High School was devastated, and when I went to look at that school I realised that it’s going to take a while for them to get back to where they need to be. But that $2.5 million that we handed over to [them from the Digicel Foundation, we know it’s going to make a major difference,” Silvera said.

“Even though we’re giving a million dollars to Herbert Morrison Technical High, we have a sponsor who is looking at their engineering department with a view to working directly with that department. They have some of the best engineering students this side of the world but their engineering department was destroyed. Many of them are still under trees, still under tents but going to school. So for me, it’s not just the fact that we were able to raise money on the day or through various sponsors but it’s the long-term effect and the long-term commitment from some sponsors.”

Two Trelawny-based athletes, rising sprint sensation Shanoya Douglas of Holland High and sprint star Sanjay Seymore of William Knibb, will be among those honoured by the Jill Stewart Mobay City Run during the Champion of the West Awards later this year.

Silvera believes their impact underscores the vital role youth in the region play in the country’s development.

“We’re not a run that’s a one-off thing. We are working with young people in western Jamaica, and we aim to make a significant difference in their lives because we know that the future lies in the hands of these young people. And if we are not able to show ourselves as good role models, if we are not able to prepare them for their future, we would have failed.”

Principal of Maggoty High School, Sean Graham (centre) collects a cheque from the Jill Stewart Mobay City Run through support from the Digicel Foundation. Sharing the photo is chair of the Digicel Foundation, Joy Clark (left) and event organiser of the Jill Stewart Mobay City Run, Janet Silvera.