The November 23, Race Against AIDS in Anguilla, which was organised this year mainly for local participants, attracted many young people of varying ages to whom the message against HIV/AIDS was particularly directed.
The event was held to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1 under the theme: ‘Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-free Generation’.
Shellecia Brooks-Johnson, Immediate Past President of the Optimist Club, speaking on behalf of her club which organised the event, commented: “We are having our ‘10th plus one’ Annual Race Against AIDS’ [because last year we did not have the race]. We are very excited to be here, and we kept it local this year with only Anguillian participants – but we are pleased with the turnout.”
Asked what the central message was which the event sought to convey, Mrs Brooks-Johnson replied: “It is that all of us need to be aware of, and knowledgeable about, HIV/AIDS and that it is basically our business. We wanted to focus on youth and to make certain that they had an opportunity to participate in an event that focuses on HIV/AIDS awareness.
“The main two incentives for participating in the race are: Firstly, it is something that has a good cause, and secondly, we also give prizes to the winners of the event. We have a number of sponsors this year who will be recognised, and we just want to say thank you to all persons who continue to come forward to give their support and participation.”
The early Saturday morning race, from outside the grounds of the Department of Agriculture and back, comprised mainly three categories: the 1K race, covering the nearby block around St Mary’s Anglican Church; the 5K race to the Tyre Shop at George Hill; and the 10K to Bethel Methodist Church. In addition to the runners, a number of persons walked some of the distances.
