The 8th staging of the recently rebranded Jill Stewart Mobay City Run (5K Walk, 5k Run, 10K Run) on Sunday has been described as an overwhelming success.
Speaking to reporters after the meet, Race Director Janet Silvera said the event attracted more than twice the number of participants anticipated.
“We have gone above, maybe 100 per cent over the numbers we anticipated,” Silvera said.
She added that the adoption of Jill Stewart’s name this year figured in the metoric increase in entries, with many individuals becoming affectionately close to her during her year-long battle with cancer before her passing last July.
Stewart was the wife of Sandals Resorts International and Appliance Traders Group Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.
Silvera thanked the businessman for allowing his late wife’s name to be attached to the event.
“The most I can say is thank you for the support you gave me and allowing us to use Jill Stewart’s name. You could have told us no, but you allowed it and it was Jill Stewart who brought so many people out. She is loved by people all over the world. I have people writing me from Germany telling me about the impact that Jill Stewart has had on their lives,” she said.
Stewart, who thanked all the participants, including corporate sponsors, lauded Silvera and her team for the successful staging, adding that Silvera has the Midas touch.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible Janet Silvera. Everything Janet touches turns to gold,” the Sandals Resorts International and Appliance Traders Group Executive Chairman said.
The Jill Stewart MoBay City Run began and ended at the Old Hospital Park in Montego Bay and is a charity event for needy tertiary students.
Silvera founded the event 11 years ago, with this year being the eighth staging, because COVID-19 prevented the 2021 and 2022 productions.
More than 5,000 entries were received in 2020, before the COVID-19 interruption.
