Puma 5k kicks off road to reggae marathon grand prix series
September 16, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kingston, Jamaica…September 2005 – The Western Sports sponsored Puma 5K will be the first event marking the start of the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston’s 10th Anniversary Grand Prix Series on Sunday, September 25, 2005 at the National Stadium’s Independence Park starting at 7:00am.
The series of races popularly known as the “Road to the Reggae Marathon” series is in preparation for the Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon events to be held in Negril on December 03, 2005 and will see runners competing for a $300,000.00 prize purse.
Also included in the four-race series are the Upliftment Jamaica 5K to be held on October 09th, Ministry of Health 5K on November 13th and the Burger King 10K on November 20th. According to Race Director, Alfred “Frano” Frances, “the categories that will be up for contention in this year’s series are Grand Prix Champion, Future Champion, Masters Champion and Schools Champion.” He added, “Special emphasis is being placed on the 20 – 29 and 30 – 39 age groups, with prizes being increased in these categories for the Puma 5K”.
The 2004 series was dominated by 14 year-old Natoya Goule of Manchester High School who emerged victorious in all the races, copping both the (female) Future and Grand Prix Championship titles. Wainward Talbert was awarded the (male) Future and Grand Prix Championships having suffered only one defeat to Phillip Edwards in the Burger King 10K.
Alan and Angela Beckford of the Jamdammers conquered the Masters male and female categories respectively; and Tacius Golding High won the male category, while Manchester High won the female category of the Schools Championship.
