Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

CHAS E. Ramson Ltd. has joined forces with the Jamdammers running Club for this year's road race series.

The four-race series will be known as the Foska/Jamdammers Grand Prix Series and will kick off with the Foska Oats 5K this Sunday at Emancipation Park.

More than 700 athletes are expected for the race for which entries close today. There will be no registration on race days.

With Chas E. Ramson's injection, the series received a boost of more than $100,000. Athletes are set to share $814,000 this season, up from $713,000 last year.

Christopher Ramson, whose product uses 'the healthy way every day' as its tag line, said the Jamdammers "theme of running and living a healthy lifestyle fits well with Foska. We believe in Jamdammers and in what they are doing in terms of helping to provide a healthy lifestyle."

He made it clear that when "they approached us, we jumped at it."

President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), Howard Aries, hailed the new sponsor for the boost while commending the organisers for their continued support.

"I am aware of the tremendous effort that Jamdammers is making to develop this particular programme; and the support of many, especially from title sponsors, must not only be welcomed, but applauded," Aries said.

"I am heartened by the continued pace of athletics development in Jamaica, and the fact that road racing is not only being revived, but has once again become an important part of the island's sporting calendar. This must be encouraged, particularly in the light of the important role that sports, and especially athletics, continues to play in the lives of our young people," he said.

The second race in the series is the Upliftment 5K set for Goodyear in St. Thomas (October 8) while the Ministry of Health 5K and Burger King 10K are schedule for November 12 and 19 respectively.

The Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon will close the season on December 2 at Long Bay Beach Park, Negril.