(Negril, Westmoreland) Negril was buzzing with excitement as cyclists from all over Jamaica vied for top spots in the inaugural staging of Sandals Negril’s Bike Ride Against Drug Abuse - BRADA 2005. Dubbed "Wheels High, Hopes High, Dont Dope I over 70 cyclists with thirty-two riding in the PRO/AM Categories, made a statement against drug abuse and drug trafficking as they raced to and from the Norman Manley Marine Park. Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa in collaboration with the Jamaica Cycling Federation took a bold step in the staging of this bike-a-thon to coincide with worldwide celebrations in recognition of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The objective of BRADA is to raise funds through, pledges, corporate sponsorship and registration fees for the ongoing work of the National Council on Drug Abuse which seeks to establish ways and means to combat the scourge of illicit drugs that plagues the area. According to Public Relations Manager, Dianne Williams, "This has been a dream come true. Seeing an idea come to fruition is more than just satisfying, it is heartwarming and to have a team of professionals such as Vaughn Phang, President of the Jamaica Cycling Federation and Arthur Tenn collaborating on this project made it really worth all the headaches and stresses and all the hiccups that come with putting on such an event. We are all already excited about next year and the huge possibilities that it will hold for both Sandals, in particular Sandals Negril and the Jamaica Cycling Federation."
The day could not have been more perfect for cycling as PRO/AM riders raced through some of the most scenic landscapes spanning two parishes - Westmoreland and Hanover with views of the picturesque Caribbean Sea, country farms, historic sites and bridges into the serene town of Lucea and back to the Marine Park. Martin Dennis, from Performance Cycling Club, Maypen had a strong lead from the start of the race, coming in first in the PRO/AM Category 1/2. He walked away with a trophy courtesy of Emkay Sports, a medal courtesy of Craft, Wicker and Things, Ltd. and $15,000 cash. Richard Smith, Good Vibes, Kingston and Stredwick Watson from Mandeville came in second and third respectively with cash incentives of $10,000.00 and $8,000.00. It was a clean sweep for the team from the Montego Bay Cycling Club as they copped the top three spots in the PRO/AM Category 3/4, with Leighton Anderson in first place, Donald Hall in second and Winston Virgo in third place. Though very few entered the Masters category, they were all winners with Michael Clarke, (Montego Bay Cycling Club) cutting the tape ahead of Lennisford Cornwall (Montego Bay Cycling Club) who finished second and Warren Gibbs, (Easy riders - Kingston), who finished third.
Recreational riders raced along the Norman Manley Boulevard, which skirts Negrils famous seven-mile beach making a roundabout turn at Orange Bay and back to the Marine Park. Brandon Bailey was first in the under 15 category and Cleon Lambert crossed the finish line ahead of the nineteen (19) cyclists in the over 15 category. Lone female, Simone Hall who entered the race in the under 15 category placed third to resounding applause from the lively and enthusiastic crowd who came to lend their support to this worthy cause. Special awards were given to Sandals team members who entered the race and Rowan McGrowder, from the resorts accounting department, who coined the slogan for the event.
All races culminated in a rally dubbed, "Wheels High, Hopes High, Dont Dope I" involving charity performances from Yasus Afari, Chetenge, Bird Pepper and Moses all backed by the Tempo Band. Schools in the area, the National Council on Drug Abuse, Church Action Negril and the Negril Chamber of Commerce all lent their support. According to General Manager of the Hotel, Mr. Baldwin Powell, "This is an exciting event that we hope will serve to, not only foster closer working relationships with faith-based, corporate and service entities, but will also impact the Negril community in a meaningful way and in so doing make Negril a better place - free of illicit drug trafficking and abuse. The eradication of this blight on our beloved Negril, our country and our world is a daunting task that cannot be combated with the actions of one single day. But, with the combined forces of all levels of human organization and endeavour, I am convinced we can and will make headway."
BRADA, which is now officially a calendar event, netted approximately $50,000.00 for the National Council on Drug Abuse and as an inaugural event, it is hoped that this amount will be exceeded several times over at next year’s staging which promises to be bigger and better, involving internationally renowned cyclists. The event was endorsed by the Hon. Wykeham McNeil, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Jamaica Cycling Federation, the Negril Chamber of Commerce, the Westmoreland and Hanover Police Headquarters, the Hanover and Westmoreland Parish Councils, KOOL 97 FM, and Myld Mello Entertainment, Ltd... This year’s sponsors included Berger Paints, NCB - Negril Branch, CSM Sports, Negril Gardens, Sun Island T-Shirts, Craft Wicker and Things, Ltd., Hylton’s, Ltd., Digicel, Cosmo’s Negril, Tai Flora, Minott Services, JUTA Negril., WB Trophies and Emkay Sports & Trophies.
The day could not have been more perfect for cycling as PRO/AM riders raced through some of the most scenic landscapes spanning two parishes - Westmoreland and Hanover with views of the picturesque Caribbean Sea, country farms, historic sites and bridges into the serene town of Lucea and back to the Marine Park. Martin Dennis, from Performance Cycling Club, Maypen had a strong lead from the start of the race, coming in first in the PRO/AM Category 1/2. He walked away with a trophy courtesy of Emkay Sports, a medal courtesy of Craft, Wicker and Things, Ltd. and $15,000 cash. Richard Smith, Good Vibes, Kingston and Stredwick Watson from Mandeville came in second and third respectively with cash incentives of $10,000.00 and $8,000.00. It was a clean sweep for the team from the Montego Bay Cycling Club as they copped the top three spots in the PRO/AM Category 3/4, with Leighton Anderson in first place, Donald Hall in second and Winston Virgo in third place. Though very few entered the Masters category, they were all winners with Michael Clarke, (Montego Bay Cycling Club) cutting the tape ahead of Lennisford Cornwall (Montego Bay Cycling Club) who finished second and Warren Gibbs, (Easy riders - Kingston), who finished third.
Recreational riders raced along the Norman Manley Boulevard, which skirts Negrils famous seven-mile beach making a roundabout turn at Orange Bay and back to the Marine Park. Brandon Bailey was first in the under 15 category and Cleon Lambert crossed the finish line ahead of the nineteen (19) cyclists in the over 15 category. Lone female, Simone Hall who entered the race in the under 15 category placed third to resounding applause from the lively and enthusiastic crowd who came to lend their support to this worthy cause. Special awards were given to Sandals team members who entered the race and Rowan McGrowder, from the resorts accounting department, who coined the slogan for the event.
All races culminated in a rally dubbed, "Wheels High, Hopes High, Dont Dope I" involving charity performances from Yasus Afari, Chetenge, Bird Pepper and Moses all backed by the Tempo Band. Schools in the area, the National Council on Drug Abuse, Church Action Negril and the Negril Chamber of Commerce all lent their support. According to General Manager of the Hotel, Mr. Baldwin Powell, "This is an exciting event that we hope will serve to, not only foster closer working relationships with faith-based, corporate and service entities, but will also impact the Negril community in a meaningful way and in so doing make Negril a better place - free of illicit drug trafficking and abuse. The eradication of this blight on our beloved Negril, our country and our world is a daunting task that cannot be combated with the actions of one single day. But, with the combined forces of all levels of human organization and endeavour, I am convinced we can and will make headway."
BRADA, which is now officially a calendar event, netted approximately $50,000.00 for the National Council on Drug Abuse and as an inaugural event, it is hoped that this amount will be exceeded several times over at next year’s staging which promises to be bigger and better, involving internationally renowned cyclists. The event was endorsed by the Hon. Wykeham McNeil, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Jamaica Cycling Federation, the Negril Chamber of Commerce, the Westmoreland and Hanover Police Headquarters, the Hanover and Westmoreland Parish Councils, KOOL 97 FM, and Myld Mello Entertainment, Ltd... This year’s sponsors included Berger Paints, NCB - Negril Branch, CSM Sports, Negril Gardens, Sun Island T-Shirts, Craft Wicker and Things, Ltd., Hylton’s, Ltd., Digicel, Cosmo’s Negril, Tai Flora, Minott Services, JUTA Negril., WB Trophies and Emkay Sports & Trophies.
