Terri Wilson, assistant manager, Business Development and Marketing, The Gleaner Company, (right) shares a light moment with Dr Cecil White, CEO, University Hospital of the West Indies, during The Gleaner's 'Fit for 180, Fit for Life 5k Run/Walk' launch at the company's Sports Club yesterday. - Gladstone Taylor

Alfred Francis, managing director of Running Events speaking during the launch of The Gleaner 180 5K run/walk at The Gleaner's Sports Club yesterday. - Gladstone Taylor

Christopher Barnes, managing director of the Gleaner Company is hoping that the company's 180th anniversary 'Fit for 180, Fit for life 5k Walk/Run' will be one of the most meaningful and best attended charity events this year. "I certainly hope this will be one of the most meaningful events we would have seen in terms of giving back to the society. Our theme is Fit for 180, Fit for life (Gleaner's anniversary celebration)," said Barnes.

"We also hope it will raise much needed funds for the University Hospital of West Indies' (UHWI) Physiotherapy Unit and Peace and Love in the Society (PALS). We certainly want to continue making an impact on the lives of people," Barnes underlined.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, beginning with warm-up sessions by the respected Steve Ming of Spartan Health Club at 6:00 a.m. The run/walk will actually get under way at 6: 30 a.m. at the Gleaner's main entrance on North Street, downtown Kingston. and will climax at the intersection of North and East streets. Parking will be reserved for participants at Heroes Circle.

The public is advised to sign up early as the first 1,000 entrants will receive limited Gleaner 180 memorabilia. There will be top prizes of $20,000 NCB gift vouchers for top performers, trophies for outstanding times and an award for the oldest competitor.

Registration can be done at the Gleaner Company, online at www.jamaica-gleaner.com/180run, at Running Events Limited on 87-89 Tower Street, Kingston, or at the UHWI Physiotherapy Unit.

At Yesterday's launch, hosted at the Gleaner's Sports Club, the company's sterling reputation of excellence and humanitarian service was highlighted. "We are proud to be associated with The Gleaner because of its history and reach. This partnership will make a huge difference in improving our facilities and service at UHWI. Because of The Gleaner, I'm sure other companies will think of coming on board soon," noted Dr. Cecil White, Executive Director of the UHWI.

Antoinette Mclean, senior physiotherapist, stressed that Jamaicans, unfortunately, have not always understood the importance of physiotherapy.

"We are grateful for The Gleaner because this is advertisement and promotion that we could not pay for. We hope their endorsement continues next year," she said.

Alfred Francis, managing director of Running Events, which will oversee the event, appealed for more charitable run/walk events.

"I've suffered from Guillain-Barre (a disorder which can paralyse). Running was my medicine, so I am proud to be part of The Gleaner's 5k run/walk. It will definitely offset some shortage of physiotherapy technologies at UHWI," Francis reiterated.