Organisers honour Neville Myton’s wish with donations to schools in Old Harbour Bay

The legacy of the late Neville Myton was surely on show last Friday in Old Harbour Bay, as three institutions of learning based in the community were given monetary grants courtesy of the Old Harbour Bay 5K Road Race organisers.

Myton, who was 74 years old when he died on May 19, 2021, is one of the founding members of the Old Harbour Bay 5K event, first staged in 1995. The popular event now has the distinction of being the longest running road race in Jamaica.

• Neville Myton remembered as a selfless, dedicated humanitarian

Since its inception, educational institutions within the community are among the main beneficiaries of the proceeds raised from the Old Harbour Bay 5K. Both 2020 and 2021 editions had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, “but this is the yearly commitment whether it is held or not,” noted respected track and field official Dennis May, a member of the organizing committee and close friend of the late Myton.

Myton’s alma mater, Old Harbour Bay Primary received $100,000 while long-established kindergarten schools, Baptist Basic and Prophecy Basic were handed $50,000 each.

Sandra Clarke-Morrison of Old Harbour Bay Primary, Kerry-Ann Desouza of Prophecy Basic and Yvonne Bartley, representing Baptist Basic School, accepted the donation on behalf of their institutions. They all expressed gratitude to cousin of Myton, Shaene Senior, who presented the cheques; Mr May and members of the organizing committee of the Old Harbour Bay 5K Road Race for the heart-warming gesture and continuous support towards their school over the years.

Myton, who died at his home in Miami in the United States, is undoubtedly one of the greatest figures to emerge out of the Old Harbour region. He was a specialist middle distance runner who was only 18 years old when he represented Jamaica at the 1964 Olympic Games before repeating the feat at the 1968 edition. He failed to reach the finals at both Games but between those years won gold in the 800m and the 4x400m relay for Jamaica at the 1966 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Myton, who attended Excelsior High School, is the first Jamaican teenager to run the 800 metres under one minute and 50 seconds and remains the national and world junior record holder for the 880 yard and 800 metres.