Remembering Roy Thomas: The runner who proved it’s never too late, inspired generations to keep moving

For many within Jamaica’s running community, the annual Everyone’s A Winner Road Race is more than a sporting event. It is a celebration of perseverance, community and the belief that crossing the finish line is an achievement in itself.

Few embodied that philosophy more fully than the late Roy St. Clair Thomas.

Affectionately known as “Daddy Roy” and “Uncle Roy” by many, Thomas was not only a familiar face at road races across Jamaica but also an inspiration to runners and walkers of all ages. His life was a testament to the idea that it is never too late to pursue new goals, challenge oneself, or inspire others.

Born on May 21, 1927, Thomas grew up in Kingston, where he would spend most of his life. A true Renaissance man, his interests and contributions extended far beyond the running track. Over the years, he worked as an observer at the Meteorological Office, sold some of Jamaica’s earliest motorbikes through Bancroft Hylton Ltd., and later became a pioneer in Jamaica’s film and photography industry.

After training in film processing in London, Thomas worked at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and, during the 1970s and 1980s, became Jamaica’s only film processing technician, developing everything from nightly television news footage to commercials. Following his retirement, he continued preserving Jamaica’s history through his work with the Institute of Jamaica’s film and photography archives.

A recipient of the Bronze Musgrave Medal, Thomas was also a professional photographer, co-founder of the Colour Photographic Club, an award-winning entrant in Jamaica Cultural Development Commission competitions, an avid astronomer and a lifelong lover of the outdoors.

Yet, for many Jamaicans, it was his presence in the running community that left an indelible mark.

Thomas did not begin running until after the age of 50. By conventional standards, he was an unlikely athlete. Older, smaller in stature, and often underestimated by fellow competitors, he responded to the occasional teasing with characteristic humour. Embracing the jokes, he famously created and raced in a shirt emblazoned with the words “Tired Old Man”, often delighting in overtaking much younger runners on his way to the finish line.

Rather than competing against others, Thomas believed in competing against oneself.

He often encouraged fellow runners to “run their own race,” reminding them that personal achievement mattered far more than placement. That philosophy aligned perfectly with the spirit of the Everyone’s A Winner Road Race, an event he helped champion alongside race founder and Race Director of Running Events Jamaica, Alfred “Franno” Francis.

Thomas firmly believed that everyone who crossed the finish line was, indeed, a winner.

His commitment to healthy living became even more remarkable after suffering a heart attack at age 88 in 2013. Following six months of recovery and with four stents aiding his circulation, Thomas returned to racing, once again proving that determination can overcome extraordinary challenges.

Running remained central to his life as he grew older. At age 92, when complications with his heart rate emerged, he underwent a pacemaker procedure in the hope of continuing to participate in races. Although complications from the procedure resulted in a stroke in 2019, preventing him from returning to competitive racing, Thomas never stopped moving. He continued walking daily at home, supported by devoted caregivers and family members, demonstrating the same resilience that had defined his life.

His racing résumé was as colourful as his personality. He participated in countless events across Jamaica, including the gruelling 1983 Trans Island Run, which stretched an astonishing 55 miles from the Cement Company through the hills to Buff Bay, Portland. He regularly cycled long distances, including trips to Negril, to participate in the popular Reggae Marathon and remained deeply committed to events such as Kingston College’s Fortis Run, where he was recognised as an inspiration.

Those closest to him say what truly set Thomas apart was not his medals, but his humanity.

He never met a stranger, treating everyone with the same respect regardless of their background. Family members recall countless occasions when he guided hikers through the Blue Mountains, carrying the heaviest backpack while patiently waiting for the slowest person in the group. Humble, frugal and endlessly encouraging, he devoted much of his time to motivating others to embrace healthier lifestyles.

That enduring impact came full circle during the 2026 staging of the Everyone’s A Winner Road Race, when a commemorative bench was unveiled in his honour at Hope Gardens.

For his family, the tribute was especially meaningful. Hope Gardens represented many of the things Thomas loved most: nature, movement, friendship and community. It now serves as a permanent reminder of a man who spent a lifetime encouraging others to take one more step, climb one more hill and never underestimate what can be achieved at any age.

Roy Thomas passed away at age 98, but his legacy continues to inspire. Perhaps the greatest lesson he leaves behind is one he lived every day: that age is never a barrier to beginning something new, and that true victory lies not in coming first, but in simply refusing to stop moving.