Jamaica is known across the world for beautiful beaches, good food, reggae music and sprinting.
Long distance races which aren’t highlighted at the Olympics or any other fora, aren’t exactly our forte.
In recent times the rates of obesity, heart conditions and other non-communicable diseases have doubled causing a strain on the health sector.
The government decided to address the problem of non communicable diseases with a programme called “Jamaica Moves” which encourages each person to do at least 30 minutes of consistent excercise for the day while monitoring salt and sugar intake.
The beat part of the initiative however are the 5k races which have now become the preferred form of fundraising.
I have an athletic body that excels in sports naturally, with minimal effort from me. Races which expose individuals to beautiful parts of the island through race routes are the primary reason that I have joined on to the 5k movement.
I have done races in aid of Wetlands Sustainability in Clarendon, which was by the sea, featuring mangroves, exotic birds and animals and wonderful people that had me focusing on the course, rather than my pace. I have done races in the hills of Spalding where the route gave me close ups of the mountains , crisp cool weather and paths decorated with tropical fruit trees ready for the picking.
The scenery at each race has its own feature. My love for nature and hiking has gotten me and Jamaica Moving. At the end of most 5k races, the cool down exercises resemble a mini party and those are huge highlights!
Check out runningeventsja.com for the list of upcoming 5ks and get your cameras and your bodies moving.