Plans are well advanced to honour Roy Thomas, one of the island’s oldest road runners, at the Father’s Day Everyone’s a Winner/The Best Dressed Chicken 3K and 5K family races to be held at Hope Gardens.

According to Alfred “Frano” Francis, race director, the 95-year-old runner has been among the oldest participants in many of the road races all across Jamaica. “He remains an inspiration to many of us who have embraced this healthy sporting lifestyle,” said Francis.

Francis said among the highlights of this year’s EAW/BDC race will be teams vying for the Roy Thomas Trophy. UCT Steppas running club won the inaugural Roy Thomas Award in 2018 and again in 2019. However, this race event did not take place in 2020 nor 2021.

Among the race teams vying this year for the Roy Thomas Trophy will be: Bank of Jamaica, Express Fitness, Fitness Warriors, Fraser Fontaine & Kong, Immeasurable Joy, Jamdammers, Legends, Pacers Running Club, Rainforest Caribbean, The Best Dressed Chicken, Trainfit Mile Chasers, UCT Steppas, and ZS Medullan.

Francis noted that on race day all participants will receive individual medals and the top-three father and child duo, in both the 3K and 5K races, will be awarded special trophies. There will also be prizes of free passes to Hope Zoo for the fastest children under 12 who cross the finish line, in addition to trophies for the overall male and female winners in first, second and third places.

Other prizes will include sponsor Express Fitness’s offer to register participants who buy a membership card with their dad, to get another membership free and three-day passes to the fitness club.

All participants will receive a breakfast option, while the event’s major partner, the Best Dressed Chicken, will provide a special treat for fathers. Bella Oasis Spa will offer massages to runners post-race and the Heart Foundation of Jamaica will carry out health checks on site.

Catherine’s Peak will keep runners hydrated; Salada Foods will be on location to serve Mountain Peak coffee, while Pure Country will offer a variety of juices to refresh the runners. Local gospel sensation Jermaine Edwards will entertain.