Thomas, Busse top Jill Stewart MoBay City Run 10K: Prime minister, national security minister and UDC boss among the participants

Published:Tuesday | May 6, 2025 | 10:12 AM Adrian Frater/Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Seasoned road racer Kamar Thomas, with a time of 33 minutes 38 seconds, and Tonya Busse, who clocked 45:04, were the toast of yesterday’s ninth staging of the Jill Stewart Montego Bay City Run, copping the male and female 10K titles in the event which unfolded in the streets of the western city.

Thomas finished ahead of Kemar Leslie and Marvin Hamilton, who were second and third with times of 33:45 and 36:37, respectively. Meanwhile, Lesa Powell and Shiela Pinto, with times of 54:58 and 56:24, took second and third, respectively, behind Busse.

In the 5K run, Garfield Gordon, with a time of 15:34, took the male section ahead of Brandon Kerr (17:17) and Carl Whyte (18:08). Jodian Walker was the top female, clocking 23:04, to relegate Annmarie Briscoe-Healy (23:21) and Jerolee Spence (23:40) into second and third place, respectively.

In the 5K walk, which attracted the largest number of participants, Ryan Robinson was the top male finisher, clocking 24:40, which placed him ahead of Tavaris Atherly (25:44) and Marlon Edwards (25:53). Rushell Campbell took the female section with a time of 26:31, which placed her in front of Kayla Stewart (26:35) and Denise Smith-Fortland (26:51).

With well over 6,000 runners and walkers showing up for the event, it had more than a generous sprinkling of celebrity as Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness; National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang; Minister of Legal and Constitution Affair Marlene Malahoo Forte; Urban Development Corporation (UDC) Chairman Norman Brown; and Executive Chairman of Sandals Resort International Adam Stewart were among the participants.

‘GOOD RACE’
Holness, who showed good running form along the course, which spanned the Harmony Park in downtown Montego Bay to the Yacht Club in the Freeport area, on the outskirts of the city, was thrilled with both his performance and the support the event attracted.

“I feel good, it was a good race; I think I am improving in my time, I have kind of dedicated time for training and exercise, so I am doing a little bit better,” said Holness, with his medal of participation dangling around his neck.

Janet Silvera, who conceptualised the run, formerly known as the Montego Bay City Run, came close to tears as she expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming support the event, which has generated over $30.5 million in scholarship support for needy students pursuing tertiary education, has gotten since its inception nine years ago.

“This morning when I saw the first runner coming in, I almost cried, having worked so hard to get to where we are today,” said Silvera, who was particularly thrilled to have the prime minister among the participants.” We have been inviting the prime minister for a long time. We wanted him to come, and finally he is here, and we feel special about it.”

The event, which was managed by renowned road race coordinator Alfred ‘Franno’ Francis, went off without a hitch as participants began showing up from as early as 4 a.m. By the time the warm-up segment, which started at 5:15 a.m. began, the Harmony Park facility was jam-packed with participants dancing and stretching themselves into readiness to take on the road.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, who served as a marshal for the event, was overjoyed with the level of support and heaped praise on the participants and the various sponsors, who provided prizes alongside food, refreshment and giveaways.

“Today is a great day for Montego Bay and I am really pleased about it ... . I believe this is the highest number of participants we have ever had, it is well over 6,000,” said Vernon. “They are running for a cause ... they are running for education, and perhaps more importantly, they are running for their well-being, they are running for their health.”

Stewart, the husband of the late Jill Stewart, was overwhelmed by the occasion, which attracted participants from as far away as the United States and Canada.

“I am humbled and appreciative of the love and support I am seeing here today, this is something that Jill would love ... she was keen on keeping fit and she was about education,” said Stewart, as he reflected on his late wife’s involvement in the event, which is now a stable on the local sporting calender.