Saturday October 19, saw another successful staging of the Team Jamaica Bickle/Awsome Power 5K Run/Walk at Baisley Park, Queens, New York. It was an almost perfect morning that welcomed the approximately two hundred runners and walkers to the 3rd staging of the event.
The theme “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles,” touched every facet of the day as runners, walkers and spectators prepared for the morning ahead. Walkers especially were treated to [warm up] Zumba lessons prior to their trip around the track. Blood pressure checks and health information were available courtesy of the Brooklyn Department of Health and The Jamaica Nurses Group of New York Inc.
There was a large contingent of youth for the 1 mile run and a good showing for the walkers, with several community groups and Alumni Associations participating. The feature event of the day was the 5K Run, which saw some of the top runners on the New York circuit competing for the top prize; automatic entry to the reggae Marathon in sunny, Negril, Jamaica.
Patrick Kearns was the overall winner of the 5K (male division)in 16.15; second was Damion Walker in 16.27; with third place going to Lance Fleming in 16.42. Brittany Sheffey was tops in the female division, in 17.36; [2011 winner], Evelyn Abiola, second in 19.58 and Shayla Sanders third in 21.54.
Patrick Kearns and Brittany Sheffey will [both] be heading to the Reggae Marathon, courtesy of the organizers. They will be flown in by Caribbean Airlines/Air Jamaica with accommodation provided by Travellers Hotel.
The top three finishers in each age category, across all events were awarded medals.
Next up for Team Jamaica Bickle is the HOT TROT 5K Run/Walk being staged in association with the Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, Inc.; organizers of the Grace Jerk Festival in Florida. This will take place on Sunday, November 3, at Markham Park, Sunrise Florida. Double Olympic and World Champion; Shelley Ann Fraser-Pryce will be special guest.
Registration for the Florida event is available at http://runhottrot.com/
