The seventh staging of the CB Group UWI 5K and Smart Eggs Kids K, which is the annual major benefactor for scholarship fund at The University of the West Indies, is to be held on November 11.

Race time is 7:00 am.

Over the years, the 5K, which begins and ends at the UWI Mona Campus, has helped to raise money to fund scholarships for over 200 recipients — including scores of student athletes who have represented Jamaica.

Matthew Lyn, CB Group chief operating officer, said his company is committed to investing in education.

“We think that it’s the noblest cause out there — education and we’re really proud to be a part of it. We think it’s the way forward… [and] this is [a] great way for us to contribute to the country and to their [students’] future,” Lyn told the Jamaica Observer during yesterday’s launch at the UWI Regional headquarters.

“We’ve been partners since the beginning — it’s seven years. They call us title sponsors, but we feel this is our 5K [because] even though UWI is the beneficiary, this is really our baby,” he added with a smile.

This year’s event will be staged under the patronage of Dr Douglas Orane, the former chairman and chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Limited, and Donette Chin-Loy Chang, fund-raiser and chairperson for Food for the Poor, Canada.

Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, chair of the CB Group UWI 5K and Smart Eggs, said: “There is nothing more gratifying than to see our students become beacons of light in their communities as they boldly step into the sphere of higher academic learning, no matter what their circumstances might be.”

Runnings Events Limited, led by veteran race organiser Alfred Francis, returns to direct the event’s operations.

While outlining tight security measures and the contingencies in place to ensure smooth operations on the morning of the race, Francis praised the “wonderful concept which has become a reality and has changed so many lives”.

Registration — which can be done at Running Events’ website or at UWI Sports Department — is now open, and will close on November 2.

Registration is $1,200 per person, while groups of 50 or more is $1,000 for each individual.

Last year’s race was said to have attracted over 5,000 participants.

Published in the Jamaica Observer