Barbara Ellington 
Deborah Garbutt- Winston Sill
THEY came together in 1995 -- a small group. Now they are 60 strong. Founding member of the running club Jamdammers, Deborah Garbutt met with Flair last week to talk about the club's progress and plans for the 2000 Grand Prix Series.
"We began running together for moral support, I had stopped smoking and wanted to get fit, but as time went by, we all took it seriously and began to participate in marathons," she said.
In 1993, two members of Jamdammers ran the New York Marathon and since then Deborah has participated in the Chicago and San Diego marathons.
At a time when many women have had to curtail their early morning runs for fear of criminal activity, Deborah insists, "there's safety in numbers, it's fulfilling to be in a group, and we continue to run either at the Mona Dam, for which we are named, or on the road," she said.
Jamdammers have members in the Corporate Area, Spanish Town and Ocho Rios and are supported by other running clubs for major events.
Considered one of the leading running clubs in the island, Jamdammers is a member of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association and actively participates in local road races. They strive to attain their goal of bringing local distance running to world class prominence.
Like most of the membership, Deborah has a full-time job in her family business and is the current president of Woman Incorporated, a foundation member of that organisation.
"I broke away for a while to focus on business and family and returned in March of this year. The job is challenging, but we are in exciting times and I love and believe in the work of Woman Incorporated," she said.
To become a member of Jamdammers, one has to be proposed by an existing member, this is seconded, taken to committee and accepted.
Following the euphoria of the Olympics in Australia, the Grand Prix season will open on October 1 with the Feel Fit 5K. Heroes Day Race 10K is on October 16, Burger King 10K on October 29, Hugo Chambers 10K on November 12 and Grand Prix Finale on December 17. The races carry attractive prizes.
The club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Constant Spring Golf Club. The current president is Alfred "Franco" Francis. Details of the upcoming events may be obtained at the website: ww.homestead.com/jamdammers.
