Going the distance for a cause

PUSHING the limits of endurance and fitness in a four-day expedition through Jamaica’s mountains and rivers, 30 athletes from the United Kingdom will participate in Sandals Foundation’s annual Island Challenge, to raise £100,000 to strengthen neonatal and paediatric healthcare services here. The event, spanning the parishes of Trelawny, St Ann, St Mary, and St Andrew will see participants hiking more than 4,000 feet above sea level, up the rugged but lush Blue Mountain terrain, running along scenic coastal routes, and kayaking through rivers. “We started in Antigua in 2023 over four days, running almost 100 kilometres.

In 2024 and 2025, in St Vincent and St Lucia, we added to the run; the paddle and the hike and this year we’re in our island home, Jamaica. October 2 to 5, the Sandals Foundation will host a multiple-day endurance test, pushing [participants] physically and mentally,” director of operations at Sandals Foundation Karen Zacca said, while speaking during Tuesday’s launch of Island Challenge 2026. The launch was held at the AC Hotel Kingston.

According to Zacca, day one of the challenge will feature an 8km community run followed by a 10km kayak trip along the White River Fish Sanctuary off the coast of Ocho Rios, St Ann. Participants will then take on an uphill battle for the second day of activities with a challenging climb of Dunn’s River Falls, followed by a 10km rainforest trek and tree planting activity, ending at Mystic Mountains where more physical challenges await them. On day three, 15 successful Jamaican challenge applicants will join the UK athletes for a 21km half marathon in Falmouth, the capital of Trelawny, passing Falmouth Public General Hospital, which will benefit from funds raised from the Island Challenge.

Zacca noted that the final day of events will feature a test of military endurance in Newcastle, St Andrew before a partial hike of the Blue Mountains, with a celebration in Good Hope hosted by Chukka Caribbean Adventures. She told the event that the initiative builds on the success of previous Island Challenges, which have collectively raised more than £300,000 ($64 million) benefiting some 1,800 babies across the Caribbean. Sandals Foundation Director of Operations Karen Zacca said the final day of events will feature a test of military endurance in Newcastle, St Andrew.

(Photo: Joseph Wellington) “What started as a fun ch…