Yasso for Kingston City Run
BART Yasso, affectionately known as the Chief Running Officer of Rodale’s Running World, is slated to participate in the inaugural Kingston City run, a weekend of pure adrenaline and fun set for today through next Monday.
Yasso has coached thousands of marathon runners enrolled in the Runner’s World Challenge since 1987 and is an inductee in the Running USA Hall of Champions. Not only will he participate in the race itself, but will be giving a “must-hear” talk at the Health & Fitness Expo tomorrow at the Wyndham Kingston.
Yasso’s credentials are expansive and he is the creator of the “Yasso 800s”, a workout that predicts marathon race pace by running 800 metres 10 times. This technique is extremely popular in Europe and in Italy. He is also the author of My Life on the Run, having run marathons worldwide — from Boston and New York to Antarctica and Mount Kilimanjaro, and at least one on all seven continents. He is one of the relatively few hardcore ultra-endurance runners to complete the Badwater — a 146-mile running race that is onsidered the toughest run in the US (1989).
Early bird entrance fee for the race is $1,000 for the 5K, and $2,000 for the half-marathon. Package rates are also being offered for the entire weekend starting at $3,000, inclusive of welcome party, health fair, race fee and after-party, and the weekend package with accommodation starts at US$140. Special group rates are also available.
The event also has a charitable purpose with funds being raised to provide sustainable support to the homeless population. Four main charities have been selected to benefit and they are the Marie Atkins Night Shelter, the Open Arms Drop-in Centre, Missionaries of the Poor, and Food for the Poor.
“The inaugural Kingston City run is slated to be an annual event, marrying Kingston’s natural assets as the hub of where Jamaica’s top athletes work, train and live. Kingston has long been positioned as the sports, entertainment and cultural capital of the Caribbean, and this Kingston City run will serve to highlight this in a unique way,” said Nicola Madden-Greig, area chairman of The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association — Kingston Chapter.