Everyone’s a Winner Road Race to fund grants for blind Jamaicans on Father’s Day

The Everyone’s a Winner Road Race is set for Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Hope Gardens, with organisers placing this year’s focus on inclusion, wellness and support for people who are visually impaired.

The annual event, which began in 2010, has become a recognised fixture on Jamaica’s running calendar and a national platform for bringing communities together around inclusion. Running Events Jamaica, which stages the race, is seeking to improve on last year’s record turnout, when more than 1,900 people registered.

The 2025 staging also delivered a milestone donation of $1 million to the Jamaica Society for the Blind, the largest amount raised by the race to date.

Alfred Francis, race director at Running Events Jamaica, said public support has continued to strengthen because participants understand the reason behind the event.

“This event continues to grow because people connect to its purpose,” he said.

“Last year’s turnout showed us what is possible when community, purpose and participation come together and, this year, we are building on that energy to grow participation even further while increasing the impact of what we raise for the Jamaica Society for the Blind.”

Funds from the 2026 race will again be directed to the Jamaica Society for the Blind. This year, the money is earmarked for the creation of an Entrepreneurial Grant Scheme for unemployed Jamaicans who are blind or visually impaired.

The programme is expected to offer selected beneficiaries financial support, mentorship and business development assistance.

Daemion McLean, president of the Jamaica Society for the Blind, said the support marks an important move towards widening opportunity for visually impaired people. He said many blind and visually impaired Jamaicans have ability and ambition, but are often held back by limited access to the resources needed to move forward.

“Many blind and visually impaired Jamaicans have the skills, ideas and determination to succeed, but often lack access to funding, mentorship and structured support. Through this Entrepreneurial Grant Scheme, we want to help bridge that gap by creating real opportunities for entrepreneurship, income generation and independence,” McLean said.

“We hope this initiative will empower beneficiaries not only to build sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families, but also to demonstrate what is possible when persons with visual impairment are given equitable access to opportunity.”

Dr Shanea Bailey, a visually impaired medical doctor, has been named patron for this year’s race. Organisers said her personal journey reflects the message behind the initiative.

The Best Dressed Chicken has again come on board as title sponsor. Arielle Oliver, brand manager of The Best Dressed Chicken, said the company is fully behind the purpose of the event.

“Everyone's a Winner celebrates the idea that movement can do more than build fitness. It can change lives," Oliver said.

“This year, with proceeds going to the Jamaica Society for the Blind, every participant, whether they walk, jog, or run, has a reason that extends well beyond the finish line. We want families to come out, lace up, and be part of that.”