The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Jamaica, in partnership with Running Events Jamaica, will host its first EU-Jamaica 5K Run on March 12 in downtown Kingston, with the aim of increasing public awareness of the partnership between the EU and Jamaica to jointly tackle important challenges.

The run will be held with the support and participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Ministry of National Security, as well as other ministries, departments and agencies.

The first EU-JA 5K will be held under the theme All Together Against Crime and Violence and will showcase the EU’s support to Jamaica’s Citizen Security Programme. The race will also highlight downtown Kingston’s rich cultural heritage, with sections of the race route encompassing the city’s art walk and coastal boardwalk, with music along the course. There will be entertainment and T-shirts for participants, as well as medals for the first 2,000 finishers. Race amenities will include hydration stations and adequate medical coverage. The race will be accessible to all residents, including persons with disabilities.

The staging area of the race will be the car park at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, 2 Port Royal Street, Kingston waterfront. The five-kilometre (3.1 miles) road race will start at the corner of Port Royal Street and George’s Lane, then left onto Duke Street, continuing onto Ocean Boulevard, then onto Pechon Street, right onto Harbour Street, left onto King Street, right onto Water Lane, right onto East Street, left onto Harbour Street, then proceed onto Michael Manley Boulevard.

Runners will then make a U-turn at Paradise Street to return along Michael Manley Boulevard, onto Port Royal Street, to finish at the corner of Port Royal and Hanover streets.

In anticipation of the EU-JA 5K event, Marianne Van Steen, ambassador of the EU, said: “The EU-Jamaica partnership spans close to 50 years and we’re very excited about our inaugural 5K. This race provides the unique opportunity to enjoy and embrace the cultural richness of downtown Kingston, while thinking through the possibilities of a safer Jamaica and the role we can all play to make it a reality.”

According to Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, race director of Running Events Jamaica: “We are delighted to partner with the European Union to showcase downtown Kingston in all its beauty and glory through this wonderful 5K initiative. Both the European Union and Running Events Jamaica have a shared vision that sporting activities can be a driver to unite communities against crime and violence.”