Organisers hail Fun Run

Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer

Westmoreland:

The inaugural Godfrey Stewart High School Sports Club Fun Run, which was staged on Sunday, is being hailed as a success by the organisers although it fell below expectations.

The event, which was geared towards raising funds for the school's Physical Education Department, particularly the track and field team, was the brainchild of the Roger Allen-led Godfrey Stewart High School Past Students' Association.

The Fun Run, which was considered quite a novel event for aspiring middle-distance runners, covered a five-kilometre course from the Petersfield town centre to the school's grounds in Savanna-la-Mar.

Francine Donaldson, the event's coordinator, said she was expecting about 500 participants, but only 200 showed up. Nonetheless, she was encouraged by the fact that residents of the communities along the route came out to support the runners.

Three categories

The event, which featured three categories, had participants ranging from students to professionals, and for the most part, most of them completed the event.

The Masters category, which featured persons over 35 years old, saw Vernon Lyons, of Lyons One-Stop Liquor Store, taking the male category, and Debbie Salmon of Cabletron Systems Limited, taking the female title.

The Senior category, which featured the age group 20-35, saw Oshane Watson emerging the top male runner, and Rohanna Daley the top female runner.

The Junior division, for participants in the age group 15-19, was won by Godfrey Stewart High School athletes Rohan Christie, who took the male section, and Tishmar Tomlinson, who was the top female.

Godfrey Stewart High won the group prize, followed by Cabletron Systems, and the Lyons Team, which took third. Godfrey Stewart emerged the best team overall.

"We are expecting this event to get bigger and better next year with the introduction of the wellness aspect," Allen told Western Focus. "This event is not just about raising funds, it is also about healthy lifestyle, so we are asking the runners and walkers to start practising early for next year."

'This event is not just about raising funds, it is also about healthy lifestyle, so we are asking the runners and walkers to start practising early for next year.'