JC makes changes ahead of Hugo Chambers 5K

They asked for it! So the track and field aficionados at Jamaica College (JC) have responded by reinstituting the one-mile race for the youngest of the teenage competitors who will be participating in the Hugo Chambers 5K.

The traditional season-opening event takes place on Sunday, November 1, with a start time of 6:30 a.m. Duane Johnson, head coach of JC’s track and field programme, says the upcoming edition will be boosted by a number of changes, including the return of the once-popular mile, and the top 1,500 competitors receiving medals.

“We are adding back the one-mile event. This was asked by a lot of coaches, so we listened and brought it back,” he said.

“Ages 13 and under can participate in the event. It will be four laps around the track in sneakers after the completion of the 5K.”

LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING ROAD RACE

The Hugo Chambers 5K has been taking place since 1988, making it the longest continuously running road race in Jamaica. Johnson shared that for this staging, there has also been a route change for the event, which begins at the school’s Old Hope Road entrance.

“We decided to start it in front of our main entrance, go east down Old Hope Road, make a left turn at Waterfalls (club), go up Mona Road, then turn left on Garden Boulevard, come back on Old Hope Road, and finish inside our stadium here (Ashenheim Stadium).”

The Hugh Chambers 5K was started by JC’s Sports Development Committee and conceptualised by old boy Hugh Wright.

Captain of JC’s track and field team, Ja’ivar Cato from St Vincent and the Grenadines, who competes in the long and triple jumps, hopes there will be a large turnout.

“We are looking forward to seeing as many people as possible, especially our first- and second-formers. We are looking forward to seeing the streets painted blue,” he said.

PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS

Cato is also hoping the 5K will aid in pre-season preparations.

“It’s still early season. The 5K will be a major boost to the athletes, so (we’re) looking forward to this season,” he said.

Registration is officially open, and the categories include individual, corporate, clubs, and school teams, with a sign-up link via the JC Instagram page.

Wayne Robinson, principal of JC, is also hoping other schools will join the ‘True Blue’ family on the day.

v“We are asking for all schools, all running clubs, everybody, because again, this is part of national development. We want everyone to turn out to this activity,” urged Robinson. “Yes, support it. The more runners, the better. It all goes towards the development of our students, and our country,” said Robinson.

daniel.mcleod@rjrgleaner.com