Breast Cancer Awareness 5K organisers aim for $20m

With a bold target of 7,000 participants and a new route to shake up the experience, organisers of the Kiwanis Club of Providence Montego Bay Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run and Wheelchair event are preparing for the 17th staging of western Jamaica’s largest show of support in the fight against breast cancer in October.

The push for thousands to hit the streets was announced at Thursday’s media launch at Grand-A-View Restaurant and Event Place. The event is set for Sunday, October 25, beginning at 6 a.m. at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, with warm-up starting at 5:30 a.m.

Event chair Nadine Spence said the aim is to increase revenue and attract more corporate sponsors. “We find that, over the years, we want to choose numbers instead of being conservative about it. We speak it into the atmosphere and say, ‘Listen, this is what we want, so anything over 7,000 is what we’re looking for this year,’” Spence said, noting the goal is to surpass last staging’s turnout of approximately 4,000 participants.

For the first time, the event will be held twice in the same year, after the 2025 staging was rescheduled to January because of Hurricane Melissa.

Financially, organisers are aiming to raise more than $20 million, up from last year’s $15 million. “Last year, we made a little over $15 million. We want to top it up and push it to as close to $20 million or more if possible. We want more corporate sponsors to come on board because, without them, it’s not possible. If you can’t sponsor by way of accepting one of the tiers, come out with all your employees, send out your friends, and just register,” Spence urged.

Participants will start at Harmony Beach Park, run along Howard Cooke Boulevard towards Alice Eldemire Drive, turn at the Montego Bay Freeport Police Station, and return to the park.

Entertainment will feature a ‘Gospel Explosion’ headlined by a major gospel artiste, alongside prizes to boost turnout.

Montego Bay Cancer Support Group coordinator Llauna Humphries said the event sends a powerful message of compassion and hope. “This event will be very impactful for patients. This says to them, persons care about us. It is showing compassion, empathy which they badly need. It’s saying, keep hoping we are backing you,” Humphries said, thanking sponsors and organisers.

Funds raised will benefit the Jamaica Cancer Society, Cornwall Regional Hospital, and the Cancer Support Group in Montego Bay.