Sinclair defends Swim For The Sanctuary 5K crown

JOEL Sinclair, national record holder at 1500 metres in the 11-12 age group, on Saturday defended his 5K title at the sixth annual Jamaica Inn Foundation Swim For The Sanctuary at Shaw Park Beach, St Ann.

Held twice for the first time in the same calendar year due to the November 2025 staging being rescheduled to January 2026 after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Swim For The Sanctuary drew a record 120 swimmers, signalling growth for the annual White River Fish Sanctuary benefit.

“The meet is definitely growing, not only in terms of competitors, but also spectators turning out in numbers,” said Belinda Morrow, sanctuary founder and Jamaica Inn Foundation board member.

“In addition to the Jamaica Tourist Board always being on board, our 5K is ranked as an international event, part of Jamaica’s Carifta qualifying. Therefore, all the boxes are being ticked, a national event taking place in the same sanctuary that it supports.

“The proceeds from Swim From The Sanctuary will, as usual, go towards funding all we do in preservation of our reefs and marine life. The meet also supports entities such as the Jamaica Surfing Association. All proceeds from the paddle board events go to the surfing association,” Morrow revealed.

Sinclair, competing as a 13-14 for Sharks Swim Club, lowered his time posted in January’s meet, 1:16.57, clocking 1:15.0 to top the male 5k ahead of Tornadoes’ 15-19, Arus Rochlani, who posted 1:15.36. Sharks’ 15-19, Matthew Heaven, finished third in 1:23.17.

Vikings Swim Club’s 13-14, Dmitri Ventura, winner of January’s 1K, showed vast improvement, stepping up to take the male 3K in 46.56, ahead of Tornadoes, 13-14, Aidan Seaton, 50.26, and Amare Thomas 52.32.

Y-Speedos’ Alyssa Jefferson won the female 5K in 1:29.05, ahead of Isabella Wong, 1:29.44, both 15-19 swimmers.

Tornadoes’ Kai Lawson defended her 3K title in 51.09 ahead of Sharks’ Addison Thomas 52.45 and January’s 1k winner, Emanuelle Spence, 52.56, all 13-14 swimmers.

Noah Spence, and Ethan Hines, both 13-14, dead-heated in 17.16 to top the male 1K ahead of Jayden Rowe, 17.21. Khloe Bryan and Layla Reid, both 13-14, posted 16.28 and 17.20, respectively, for first and second in the female 1K.

Eugene Kim, 0-10, won the male 500m in 10.40 ahead of 13-14 Justin Jefferson, 10.51 and Nathan-Charles Liburd 10.58. Wong, runner-up in the 5k, topped the female 500m in 8.35, well clear of 11-12 Adira Miller, 10.09, and 13-14 Miaya Stewart 10.36.

Special Olympians also participated at the meet, Kyle Chin winning the 1K in 23.34 ahead of Andrew Bartholmew, 27.32, and Andrew McIntosh 33.35. Kadian Ingleton won the Special Olympians’ 1K female race in 33.32.

Elon Parkinson, communications manager, Petrojam, said Swim For The Sanctuary remains part of its national corporate sustainability commitments, supporting Jamaica’s conservation and biodiversity efforts.

“By upping our sponsorship by more than 30 per cent this year, we are making an even greater investment in funding the restoration of the ‘no-take’ zone covering over three miles of coastline where fishes spawn,” said Parkinson.

Debra Spence, president of long-time sponsor Scotia Insurance, said she was proud that her firm has been with Swim For The Sanctuary since its inception.

“We are really proud to be a part of this event. Scotia has been in Jamaica for 136 years. With that comes responsibility to country and community to protect the blue economy, aligning with our mantra, ‘Your Future Is Safe With Us’.