Fri | Sep 5, 2025

Running Events Jamaica announces return of Blue Run 5k

Published:Friday | September 5, 2025 | 12:07 AM
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Ready…Set…Go! Running for men’s health, racing for awareness. Pictured are (from left) Diane Ellis, director, Running Events; Eric Hosin, Group President, Life, Health and Pensions, Guardian Life; Alfred Francis, managing director, Running Events; Dr
Contributed
Ready…Set…Go! Running for men’s health, racing for awareness. Pictured are (from left) Diane Ellis, director, Running Events; Eric Hosin, Group President, Life, Health and Pensions, Guardian Life; Alfred Francis, managing director, Running Events; Dr Belinda Morrison-Blidgen, consultant urologist, UHWI; Takese Foga, director, Health Promotion and Education, MOHW; Roshane Reid-Koomson, Executive Director, Jamaica Cancer Society; Christopher Denny, prostate cancer survivor and member of Brothers United Against Prostate Cancer; Meghon Miller-Brown, president, Guardian Life Limited; and Shermaine Robotham, director Health Promotion PR and Customer Care Division, National Health Fund.
Running Events Jamaica’s Alfred Francis (centre), managing director, and Diane Ellis (right), director, speak with Dr Belinda Morrison-Blidgen, consultant urologist, UHWI, during the Blue Run 5K media launch. The UHWI department is the 2025 beneficiary o
Contributed
Running Events Jamaica’s Alfred Francis (centre), managing director, and Diane Ellis (right), director, speak with Dr Belinda Morrison-Blidgen, consultant urologist, UHWI, during the Blue Run 5K media launch. The UHWI department is the 2025 beneficiary of the event.
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The 2025 staging of Running Events’ Blue Run 5K is slated for Sunday, September 21.

Powered by Guardian Life, this the third staging is set to start from Emancipation Park at 6:30 a.m.

“The Blue Run is more than just a race; it’s a personal mission and a platform for education, awareness, and community support,” said Alfred Francis, managing director of Running Events Jamaica.

“Having witnessed the profound impact prostate cancer can have on families, we are committed to using this event to inspire Jamaicans to take charge of their health, get screened early, and stand together in support of a cause that touches so many lives.”

The Blue Run has become a symbolic fixture on the national running calendar, merging fitness with purpose. It is also part of the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Corporate Wellness

Challenge, which promotes physical activity, healthy eating, and regular health checks in workplaces across Jamaica.

The Blue Run is designed not only to encourage Jamaicans to get active but also to promote prostate health and dispel the stigma around screening. While many men shy away from the dreaded ‘finger exam,’ the event highlights the importance of PSA blood testing as a simple and effective way to detect prostate issues early and improve outcomes.

The 2025 staging will feature a course within the New Kingston area, starting and ending at

Emancipation Park, which will be illuminated in blue throughout September to serve as a powerful reminder of the fight against prostate cancer. Organisers are also encouraging

Jamaicans to Go Blue for September by wearing blue clothing, using blue ribbons, and lighting businesses in blue, as a sign of awareness and support.

For the first time, a Generational Award will be introduced to celebrate families running together across different age groups. This family-friendly event is open to all, with strong support from corporate teams.

“Guardian Life has been a steadfast supporter of the Blue Run since its inception, partnering closely with Running Events Jamaica to raise awareness of prostate cancer and champion men’s health. This meaningful collaboration underscores our enduring commitment to the well-being of Jamaicans and the critical importance of early detection and health education.

SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS

Together, we are shifting perceptions, saving lives and building stronger, healthier communities,” said Meghon Miller Brown, president, Guardian Life Limited.

Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer affecting Jamaican men and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among males on the island. While early detection significantly improves outcomes, the disease often goes unnoticed in its early stages. The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) offers screening services, educational resources, and ongoing support for men and families impacted by the disease. Members of the public are urged to take advantage of these services and to encourage their loved ones to get screened.

“Prostate cancer has been the most common cancer in Jamaican men for over 60 years, yet far too many cases are still detected late due to stigma and low screening rates,” said Dr Belinda Morrison-Blidgen, consultant urologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

“Events like the Blue Run are vital because they not only raise awareness and encourage men to get screened early but also provide much-needed support to improve our diagnostic facilities.

Screening saves lives and early detection gives men the best chance of survival, and that is the message we want every Jamaican family to take away. We are deeply grateful that the Urology

Department at UHWI is the beneficiary of this year’s Blue Run. The upgrades that this fund will facilitate will create a more comfortable and well-equipped environment for patients, helping us to break down barriers to screening and, ultimately, save more lives.”

Supporting this call for early detection is the National Health Fund (NHF), which has joined as a partner for this year’s event. In line with its ongoing mandate to strengthen public health, the NHF provides subsidies that help Jamaicans access PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) screening tests, a critical step in diagnosing prostate cancer at an early, treatable stage.

On race day, participants can expect free health checks, product sampling from sponsors, and a special musical performance by Joby Jay.

Sponsors and partners in the fight against prostate cancer through the Blue Run include Guardian Life, Jamaica Observer, National Health Fund, Ministry of Health and Wellness (Corporate Challenge), iPrint, Catherine’s Peak, Chas E Ramson, Salada, Nissan, JP Foods, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, Gatorade, CPJ, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and The Art Printery Limited.

With registration now open, runners, walkers, and families across Jamaica are encouraged to sign up early and be part of a meaningful movement for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September). The beneficiary is the Urology Department of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) to support its work in diagnosing, treating, and educating the public about prostate cancer.