The European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica officially launched the third staging of the EU-JA 5K & 10K race in partnership with the Ministry of National Security on Friday. This year's edition, scheduled for Sunday, March 9 in Downtown, Kingston carries the theme, "All Together Against Crime & Violence," rallying Jamaicans to stand in the fight against violence, particularly gender-based violence, while also spotlighting the urgent need for improved literacy in underserved communities across Jamaica.

The race will kickstart a series of events that will commemorate the EU's partnership with Jamaica for the last 50 years.

"Over the past 50 years the EU has been committed to working alongside the Government of Jamaica and other agencies to address the social challenges that negatively impact Jamaica's development goals," said Deputy Head of the Mission of the European Union in Jamaica, Mr. Piotr Byczkowski, highlighting the importance of the EU-JA 5K & 10K run at the official media launch at the European Union Delegation headquarters in Kingston.

"We are encouraged by the growth of the race over the years and this year, we aim to make an even bigger impact," he added.  

Byczkowski was speaking on behalf of Her Excellency, Dr. Erja Askola, EU Ambassador to Jamaica, who was unable to attend Friday's launch.

For the past two years, the race has showcased the EU's support of Jamaica's Citizen Security Programme, under the Ministry of National Security, with both entities recognizing the critical need to address gender-based violence (GBV) in Jamaica.

Expressing her appreciation for the EU's support, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, shared, "We are grateful for the EU's support in our efforts to reduce crime through improved literacy.”

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating a safer environment for all Jamaicans and importantly, to brighter future for our children,” she added. 

The race is also part of the Ministry of Education's led Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy, designed to reduce the risk of crime by addressing schools in challenged communities with a holistic approach.

Funds raised will support early intervention programmes and train teachers in proven techniques to tackle the identified literacy challenges.

These sessions will be conducted by the Creative Language-Based Learning (CLBL) Foundation, which equips educators with tools to enhance reading outcomes for students.

This holistic approach recognizes the crucial link between literacy and crime reduction. Previous workshop sessions have shown that after just 56 hours of instruction, both students and teachers have demonstrated significant improvements.

Founder and Executive Director of CLBL, Mandy Melville, is thankful for the financial support gained from this initiative.

“This run will allow us to have a summer programme and this is where we’re able to give the teachers intense instruction in the methodology and, at the same time, able to give the students intense remediation,” she said.

“During the summer, the students meet with us five days a week, five hours a day of instruction and, usually by the end of three weeks, they’ve gotten 60 hours of instruction and you can see students moving at up at least one or two grade levels in reading,” she added.

Olympic and World Championship silver medalist and 2024 RJR Gleaner Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year, Shanieka Ricketts, has been named Patron for this year's staging of the EU-JA 5K & 10K.

Ricketts strongly believes in the role that literacy plays in combating crime and violence, making her a positive influence to champion this year's race.

“This race is very important. It’s not just about fitness, it’s about taking a stand against an issue that has been plaguing Jamaica for some time, crime and violence. Once we sign up and show up March 9 and participate, we are taking a stand against crime and violence in Jamaica,” Ricketts said.

The EU-JA 5K & 10K Run will begin on Port Royal Street, with the route taking participants through the streets of Downtown Kingston and the Waterfront.

Registration for the run started on February 8 and will run until March 1. Registration can be done at www.runningeventsja.com.

Photos courtesy of Garrick Communications