(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Eleutherans increasingly looking within for solutions to any number of issues facing residents are calling on each other to help local non-profit groups which are providing essential services to the wider community. The proprietor of JC Discount Superstores and JC Suites did just that recently by hosting the first ever, “Catch Jerry Chile” 5 Mile Run/Walk -a-thon – event on the island. It was held on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 in James’ Cistern, with all proceeds going to the Bahamas Cancer Society, Eleuthera Branch, headquartered in Palmetto Point.

Miska Clarke (Jerry Chile, or ‘Jerry’s Child’ based on the name of his mother “Geraldine”), the visionary of the event, which took walkers and runners from the popular Cork tree site in James’ Cistern to the Governor’s Harbour airport and back to the Cork tree, shared that he wanted to encourage Eleutherans to get healthy by incorporating walking or running into their lifestyle, as well as having an impact on a most worthy local outreach organization.
 
Mrs. Juanita Pinder, President of the Eleuthera Branch of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, in response to the donation by the ‘Catch Jerry Chile’ event, expressed how humbled and thankful they were to receive the cash proceeds, saying that their active community organization is in continuous need of such generosity, because of the requests for help that are consistently received.


Participants from a variety of settlements in Eleuthera turned out to ‘Catch Jerry Chile’

More than 50 people took part in the event from throughout central Eleuthera, some as walkers – some as runners, and there were fabulous cash prizes up for grabs.

The runners were given the challenge of catching ‘Jerry Chile’ (aka Miska Clarke) before the finish line, and three young winners did just that, with Clarke finishing in fourth place.  The winners in order with their cash prizes were:


Run-A-Thon winners pose with their trophies, after catching and passing Jerry Chile. Standing left to right are: Kenneth Davis (3), Anthony Bain (2) and Elliott Thompson (1). 

Elliott Thompson – First Place – $500
Anthony Bain – Second Place – $300
Kenneth Davis – Third Place – $100 (gift certificate)
 
In the walkers’ category, the competition was just as stiff, with a wide age range competing for the top spots.  In the end the winners were as different in age and gender as they could be, with an eighth grader holding on to third, a well established businessman sliding in second and a seasoned walker taking the top position:


Walkathon Winners (L-R) Albert Archer (2) , Saiydah Bryan (3) and Dwight Pinder (1).

Dwight Pinder – First Place – $200
Albert Archer – Second Place – $100 (Donated to the Cancer Society)
Saiydah Bryan – Third Place – $100 (gift certificate)

Participants commented that the route was a challenging one, but also enjoyable – as they walked and ran next to the beautiful waters of the West Coast, Bight of Eleuthera, all along the way.  Next year’s event is expected to be bigger and better with hopes of even more people taking up the challenge to “Catch Jerry Chile