Thumbs up for High Mountain 10k
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — There was plenty of rain, and the target of $1 million for the dialysis unit of the Mandeville Hospital wasn’t achieved, but organisers of the latest edition of the annual High Mountain Coffee 10k Road Race say it went well.
“Overall, despite the rain it was a very good meet,” said director Maurice Westney.
The road race festival has been held annually in Williamsfield — headquarters of Jamaica Standard Products which produces High Mountain Coffee — since 1983.
Event coordinator Annette Salmon was pleased with the increased participation of young people and children in the various events, particularly the 5K walk and run.
“We had five-year-olds, a lot of seven-year-olds, that was great to see,” said Salmon.
Regarding the missed fund-raising target, she urged companies and businesses in Manchester to make a greater effort to support causes such as the road race festival which “not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but seeks to help the hospital”.
American runner Andrew Brodeur won the High Mountain Coffee 10 Kilometre title for the second year in a row, holding off challenges from Jamaicans Kirk Beckford and Shawn Pitter. Brodeur clocked 31:39 minutes, Beckford 31:45 and Pitter, 31:52.
Seventeen-year-old Wayne Beckford (17:25) of Kellits High School beat off the challenge of Demareo Murray of Discover U Track Club to take the male 5K event. His 15-year-old schoolmate Ivaney Robotham was the female winner.
Lenord Williamson and Coleen Morrison were the male and female winners in the wheelchair race.
Cheered on by spectators, 85-year-old Roy Thomas, affectionately called ‘Mass Roy”, who organisers say has been competing at the High Mountain Coffee 10K since its start in 1983, battled to the finish line in rain and fading light.
‘Platinum’ sponsor Lucozade headed a list of more than 20 companies, providing support for the annual road race festival.