With just days remaining before the MBJ milestone fifth-anniversary Charity Run on Sunday, organisers have extended the registration deadline to Thursday (September 4).  

With over 110 sponsors and nearly 2,500 registered corporate team participants ready to power academic dreams across Jamaica, the event is already marking its best year of support.

The unprecedented participation reflects Jamaica’s growing commitment to education, as Corporate Jamaica and individual supporters unite behind the initiative that has raised over J$41 million and supported more than 1,320 students since its inception.

“The response so far has been absolutely extraordinary,” said Sharon Hislop-Holt, commercial business development and marketing manager at MBJ Airports Limited.  “The increase in sponsors and participants this year demonstrates the solidarity around education.  It also means that more families, businesses, and communities are truly embracing this as their own cause and their own opportunity to help send a child to school.”

Final race preparations

With registration extended to Thursday, organisers are focusing on final logistics to ensure a seamless experience for the record number of participants.  All registered runners and walkers must collect their race packets before race day.  Collection will be facilitated from today to Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm at the MBJ Airports administrative office at Sangster International Airport. 

To accommodate the record number of participants, the organisers have also made comprehensive arrangements with multiple convenient parking locations and a complimentary shuttle service.

The designated parking areas are MEET on the Hip Strip on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard and Cargo & Queens Warehouse by the airport.  The free shuttle service will transport participants between all parking locations and the race staging area at the airport.  On-site marshals will be positioned to direct participants to the designated parking areas and provide assistance throughout the morning.

Grant impact

In celebration of its fifth staging, this year’s initiative introduces a major change – the extension of the grant eligibility to students across the island.  The expansion to islandwide grant eligibility has generated unprecedented interest.  While the deadline for submission is September 30, applications are already pouring in from students and community-based organisations across Jamaica. 

“We are happy with the level of engagement so far.  While we are based in St. James, as the run has grown, we are now able to expand this support beyond Western Jamaica to help students and CBOs islandwide,” added Hislop-Holt.  “Thousands are coming together to fuel academic dreams, and we look forward to making a real and tangible difference in the lives of our talented young people and to supporting organisations that champion inclusivity.”