The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge – a four-day fundraising endurance experience – is off to an electrifying start after an early morning run and kayak journey across St. Mary and St. Ann. Blazing across the Caribbean in a different island each year, the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge has made its debut in Jamaica, bringing some 30 UK athletes and 13 local participants together to run, kayak, and hike across the rugged terrain and lustrous waters of the island’s north coast.

From October 2 - 5, they will put their minds and bodies to the test to raise £100,000 to strengthen paediatric and neonatal healthcare at the Falmouth Public General hospital.

Day 1 of the Challenge saw 30 athletes from across the UK running 10 kilometres from the Rio Nuevo Fishing Beach to Sandals Ocho Rios Beach Club, then getting on the sea for a one-hour kayak journey across the White River Fish Sanctuary before returning to Sandals Ocho Rios Beach Club.

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation, says the cause behind the challenge helps to keep athletes motivated through strenuous physical activities.

“ It’s been an incredible first day with athletes pushing themselves to the limit. All have raised the funds to benefit our children on the island and we are extremely honoured to be able to support the Paediatric and Neonatal Department of the Falmouth Public General Hospital. The next three days will require them putting it all on the line but they are motivated knowing that every step and stride is bringing hope to families.”

Born out of a conversation with his colleagues after completing a half-marathon in the UK some years ago, Karl Thompson, Managing Director at Unique Vacations (UK) Ltd., says “The idea for Island Challenge came about during a conversation I had with some colleagues after we ran a marathon in the UK. I thought ‘we should do this in the Caribbean, where our philanthropic arm operates, and help improve the lives of children.’ Now this is our fourth event, and, based on our first day, we’re off to a great start. The energy was sky high; The people, the support, it was brilliant.”

Three-time participant, Bradley Mills says, “The island is beautiful. Coming into the Ochi Beach Club at the end of the run, in the final kilometer, everyone was cheering us on and it created such a good vibe. The whole team was there, so it was really an amazing experience.”

And for first time participant, Carla Hoyos, says, “It was lovely. Although I wasn’t prepared for the hills because we don’t have many where I live, the run was great…And the team was great too.”

On Saturday, October 3, the team will climb the world-famous Dunn's River Falls, followed by a 10km rainforest trek and tree planting activity in the Bogue 11 Forest. On Sunday, they will take on a 21km half marathon with 13 local participants through the beautifully preserved Georgian town of Falmouth, passing the beneficiary Falmouth Public General Hospital, through port, under bridge to main road, enter Hague and continue to Good Hope waterfall; and on Monday, the group will tackle a military endurance challenge in Newcastle, St. Andrew before conquering partial hike of the Blue Mountain some 4,500 feet above sea level.

The Jamaica staging follows three successful stagings held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2023, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines in 2024, and Saint Lucia in 2025. Collectively, the event has raised more than £300,000, benefiting 1,800 babies across the Caribbean.

The next three days promise to be a must-follow. Island Challenge Jamaica 2026 is made possible through the kind support of a host of local and international partners including Sandals Resorts International, Island Routes, Jamaica Tourist Board, British Airways, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Mystic Mountain, Digicel, The Best Dressed Chicken, Wisynco, CPJ, Rainforest Foundation, Digicel, Jamaica Observer, Tour Jamaica Destinations Management Co. Ltd., Oxford Trading Ja Ltd., Trekkers Adventures Jamaica, the Forestry Department of Jamaica, the Western Regional Health Authority, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, CIBC, and A.L. Golaub & Sons all on board to create this unforgettable experience.