Blue Run 5K record turnout boosts prostate awareness

The Blue Run 5K delivered its biggest staging yet, with 4,859 registrants compared to 3,990 in 2025.

This year, 2,803 participants completed the September 20 event, up from 2,186 last year, setting a new participation record while raising awareness about prostate cancer and encouraging Jamaican men to take a more proactive approach to their health.

Organised by Running Events Jamaica and powered by Guardian Life, the fourth staging brought participants to New Kingston for a morning of running, walking and community engagement. The event continued the Blue Run’s focus on prostate cancer awareness, early detection and men’s health.

Race director Alfred Francis said the turnout reflected Jamaicans’ growing willingness to support an issue that affects men and families across the country.

“We are extremely pleased with the response to this year’s Blue Run. To see a record number of participants come out and run, walk and support the cause demonstrates the power of community when we come together around an issue that matters. The Blue Run has always been about more than the race itself. It is about creating greater awareness, encouraging men to take their health seriously and using the platform of sport to get people moving and talking about prostate health. We are grateful to everyone who participated and helped us make this our biggest staging yet,” Francis said.

The need for awareness remains significant. Prostate cancer was the leading cancer diagnosed among Jamaican men in 2022, accounting for 1,599 new cases – 43.1 per cent of all new cancer cases among men – according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Cancer Observatory. It was also the leading cause of cancer deaths among Jamaican men.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness similarly identifies prostate cancer as the most frequent cancer in Jamaica and advises that screening is available through the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE).

Proceeds from the 2026 Blue Run will support the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and initiatives focused on raising awareness, encouraging men to prioritise prostate health and promoting early screening and detection. Funds will specifically support JCS’s prostate cancer screening, education and outreach programme, including subsidised services, outreach clinics, educational materials, and efforts to reach men facing financial or geographic barriers. Contributions will also support timely referrals and follow-up care.

The JCS has long provided prostate screening through its clinical and outreach programmes. Its 2024 annual report recorded 889 men screened, including screenings conducted in collaboration with Guardian Life.

Roshane Reid-Koomson, JCS executive director, said: “Prostate cancer continues to have a significant impact on Jamaican men and their families, yet too many men still delay taking action when it comes to their prostate health. Initiatives such as the Blue Run are important because they bring this conversation into the community in a way that is accessible, visible and engaging. When thousands of people come together to run, walk and support the cause, it creates an opportunity to reach more men, challenge the hesitation around screening and reinforce the message that early detection matters. We are proud to partner with an initiative that is helping to turn awareness into action and grateful to everyone who continues to lend their voice, resources and support to the fight against prostate cancer.”