WESTERN BUREAU:
Defending champion Brandon Kerr overcame both the clock and hurricane setbacks to win the men’s 5K at the Kiwanis Club of Providence – Montego Bay’s 15th Anniversary Breast Cancer Awareness Run, Walk and Wheelchair, held Sunday at Fairview Office Park.
Kerr crossed the finish line in 17 minutes, 33 seconds, claiming back-to-back victories despite losing his home to Hurricane Melissa, which forced him to pause training for nearly a month.
“The storm destroyed my house, flat, everything,” Kerr told The Gleaner. “I missed about a month of training trying to get my life back in order. Then I resumed training.”
The national runner, representing Impressive Track Club, 876 Running Club, and Fitness Nation, is now living with his mother while saving to rebuild his one-bedroom board structure home into a concrete dwelling.
“It feels like it takes my mind off all the struggles and worries,” he said. “It feels real energising. Today, I delivered, despite the pressure.”
Javon Sawyers and Jerome Ceasar finished second and third in the men’s race, posting times of 17:47 and 17:58, respectively.
In the women’s race, Tracy Ann Vernon took first place in 24:00, with Shania Frazer finishing second in 24:27. Both athletes are students of Maldon High School, which lost its roof in the hurricane, and both also suffered storm damage to their homes.
Vernon, from Maldon, St James, admitted that she battled pain during the race but refused to give in. “I came here to win,” she said. “I pushed myself, and I reached.”
Frazer received inspiration from her mother before competing on Sunday morning. “She told me that even if I didn’t come first, she would still give God thanks and bless me,” she said. Her home continues to suffer from leaks due to the roof and kitchen damage.
Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon described the event as St James’ first road race for 2026 and praised the turnout.
“After a Category 5 hurricane, people were discombobulated,” he said. “Bit by bit, they got themselves back together, and today, they are able to come out as a community to support something truly Montego Bay. Many participants are survivors or beneficiaries of this programme, and this is a part of our resilience story.”
‘Truly grateful’
The Kiwanis Club of Providence said the rescheduled 5K attracted over 3,260 participants, despite lingering effects of the hurricane, and is expected to come close to its $10 million fundraising target. Proceeds will benefit the Cornwall Regional Hospital, the Jamaica Cancer Society, and western Jamaica cancer support groups. Since its inception, the Kiwanis Breast Cancer 5K has raised more than $85 million.
Event Chair Nadine Spence thanked sponsors, volunteers, and participants for their contributions.
“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who came out to support this rescheduled event,” Spence said. “We are truly grateful, and western Jamaica will be better for it.”
Title sponsor Digicel contributed more than $1.75 million, providing connectivity, social engagement, and community resources to help ensure the event’s success.
The race followed its traditional route from Fairview Office Park along Howard Cooke Boulevard, looping at KFC before returning to Fairview, a course cherished by runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes alike.
As participants crossed the finish line, the message was clear: homes may have been destroyed, roofs may have fallen, but the spirit of Montego Bay’s community, runners, volunteers, and organisers alike remains unbroken.
