Winston Barrett, Vice Chairman of Heart Foundation of Jamaica shows he not only talks the talk, but runs the run.
As the New Year has arrived our healthy resolutions ring triumphantly from the towers of January 2020 and the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) is seeking to pull 5000 participants from the couch to the finish line. The goal, to have the largest cardiac output to kick start Heart month in February 2020.
The HFJ in partnership with Crystal Spring Water and Running Events Jamaica will stage the fourth edition of the Run For Your Heart (RFYH) 5k & 2K on Sunday February 2, 2020 at Emancipation Park with a 7 AM race start.
“We want to keep the message of heart health at the top of minds beyond the start of a new year to everyday,” noted Karen Anderson, Senior Manager, Marketing & Fund Development. Heart disease remains the number one killer in Jamaica and across the globe. We want people to invest in their heart health. Eat right, move for 30 minutes a day and if you want a fun and safe space to start; the Run For Your Heart 5K and 2K is here for you.”
Junior Endevarous of Sweet Energy Fitness (left) guides participants through a thorough warm up ahead of the Crystal Spring Run For your Heart 5K, 2k on Sunday February 3, 2018 at Emancipation Park.
Last year, the road race attracted just over 1,500 registrants who came out to be “Heart Heroes” and supported the Foundation in fulfilling its mandate of keeping testing and screening costs available to all Jamaicans at an affordable rate. For 2020, the focus is to garner enough support to maintain, upgrade and increase the amount of equipment and supplies available at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica to be able to maintain and increase preventive screening island-wide.
“We are extremely excited about the early response to this year’s race and encourage everyone to register and rally with The Heart Foundation as we continue to promote and educate to spread the message about leading a heart healthy lifestyle. I am appealing to everyone to come on board.” stated Winston Barrett, Vice-chair of The Foundation. The number of Jamaicans requiring our support is increasing. Furthermore, we want to keep it at an accessible cost and this race is a major fundraising activity for our programmes. So we would love to see everyone supporting this cause at Emancipation Park on February 2nd.”
Jamaicans, locally and overseas, can make contributions to the Foundation through their website payment portal at www.heartfoundationja.org. Additionally, persons can register online for the RFYH 5K & 2K at www.runningeventsja.com or www.heartfoundationja.org/payments. The registration period closes on Thursday, January 24, 2020.
Registration costs are: $1,200 for individuals and teams with 50 entrants or more, $1000 each. Cash and credit card payments can be made to The Heart Foundation of Jamaica located at 28 Beechwood Avenue in Kingston.
Race packages can be picked up at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be no pick up on race day.
The main sponsors of the 2020 staging of the event are Crystal Spring Water, Running Events Jamaica along with JP St. Mary’s, National Supply, Naturally Brand, MegaJamz98 FM, Caribbean Dreams, Tetley Tea, Bumble Bee Tuna, Pascual Yogurt, Iosif Image Solutions, LASCO Oats, Kraft Punchers, Ensure, Eon & Robbie, New Insight Event Services, Jamaica Moves, and Pure National Ice.