ST JAMES, Jamaica – In the second staging of its 5K and 10K Charity Run/Walk event, Sangster International Airport (SIA), raised more than US$30,000. The funds, which are slated to go towards providing academic scholarships for airport staff, children of airport staff, and others in surrounding communities, were raised by more than 1400 participants and 60 corporate sponsors.

Hosted on Saturday, September 10, the 2022 instalment of the event doubled in size when compared to its inaugural year. In 2019 the event attracted just over 700 participants.

According to a release on Monday, the grounds of the Sangster International Airport served as the starting and ending site for the race, which kicked off at 5:45 am, taking participants along the promenade of the Elegant Corridor from the airport to the Flanker’s community intersection for 5K participants, and to Ironshore in the vicinity of the Blue Diamond Plaza for 10K runners.

Top place finishers for both the 5K and 10K races won for themselves a trophy and round-trip airline tickets courtesy of platinum sponsors American Airlines and JetBlue. They also won hotel weekend stay from platinum sponsors Couples Resorts, Hyatt, and Secrets Resort; Day passes from sponsors Royalton Hotel and Chukka Adventure Tours; Cell phones (Samsung A32) and top-up contributed by platinum sponsor Digicel Business. Gift Baskets courtesy of Platinum sponsors Caribbean Producers Jamaica (CPJ), Reggae Mart, and Hospiten, were also a part of the prize package.

The first 1,000 finishers received medals for the cause and awards were given to the oldest female and male entrants who were 82 and 73 years respectively. Running Events Jamaica acted as race organisers of the event which is expected to become a calendar event.

Sharon Hislop-Holt, MBJ Commercial and Marketing Manager, was pleased with the support and participation.

“We are hearted by the support received and wish to thank all the sponsors, participants and other agencies for their contribution in making the Run/Walk a success. Based on the response and feedback, the MBJ Team Sangster Charity Run/Walk will become an annual event,” she said.

“We look forward to your continued partnership as we build togetherness, promote health and wellness and continue to provide educational assistance to youths in need within our community. We look forward to hosting the next staging in September 2023.”