Guardian Life Limited and the Guardian Group Foundation on Friday, March 20, 2026 launched the 2026 staging of its flagship charity event, the SHINE 5K Night Run/Walk, targeting over 10,000 participants across Kingston and Montego Bay. 

More than just a race, SHINE—Securing Hope for Those in Need—has evolved into a national platform that combines health promotion, corporate partnership, and social impact. The runs will be held in Kingston on Saturday, May 23, 2026, and in Montego Bay on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Under this year’s theme, “SHINE with Heart and Sole,” the initiative will continue to mobilise Jamaicans from all walks of life to support essential health care and community-based interventions.

Health care and social transformation

Proceeds from the 2026 staging will support three key beneficiaries:

• Kingston Public Hospital (KPH): As it celebrates its 250th anniversary, KPH is set to undergo a major redevelopment to enhance services for its thousands of patients. This important selection comes at a critical time and will contribute significantly to the hospital’s overall improvements.

• Falmouth Public General Hospital: This essential health care facility serves approximately 75,000 residents in Trelawny, including communities heavily impacted by recent hurricane damage.

•  Project STAR: This initiative is part of a four-year agreement that provides $2.5 million in annual funding. Project STAR focuses on youth development, preventive health, and social transformation in vulnerable communities.

These institutions were carefully chosen for their national importance, community reach, and capacity to deliver measurable impact.

Speaking at the media launch, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton highlighted the broader public health importance of the initiative, noting that Jamaica continues to face high levels of non-communicable diseases caused by low physical activity.

Events like SHINE, he noted, play a critical role in promoting healthier lifestyles while also enhancing healthcare delivery through targeted funding and partnerships.

“I commend Guardian Group and all partners for their continued leadership and commitment to national development. You have taken an idea and transformed it into a movement—one that promotes healthier lifestyles, strengthens communities, and delivers real, measurable impact.

I look forward to a successful SHINE 5K in 2026 and to seeing even more Jamaicans come together in support of this worthy cause. Let us continue to SHINE—for health, for community, and for Jamaica.”

An investment in impact

President of Guardian Life Limited Meghon Miller-Brown emphasised the collaborative spirit that characterises SHINE, highlighting the role of corporate Jamaica, government, and citizens in fostering meaningful change.

“All proceeds from SHINE go directly to beneficiaries, ensuring that every step taken by participants contributes to real impact,” she noted.

Since its inception in 2014 as the “Keep It Alive” 5K Night Run, the initiative has raised over $127 million for health care institutions and social programs across Jamaica, including more than $25 million in 2025 alone. Funds raised have supported the procurement of life-saving medical equipment, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced patient care delivery across several key institutions, including: University Hospital of the West Indies, Cornwall Regional Hospital, Kingston Public Hospital, Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Mandeville Regional Hospital and St Ann’s Bay Hospital.

In 2025, the initiative provided significant support to its beneficiaries—the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the Noel Holmes Hospital—by supplying essential medical equipment. This included:

• Patient and cardiac monitoring systems

• Portable ultrasound and ECG machines

• Suction machines, nebulisers, and emergency resuscitation equipment

•  Vital signs monitoring units and ventilator support accessories

• Purchase of critical power supply systems to enhance diagnostic reliability

These investments are actively improving diagnostic capabilities, patient stabilisation, and emergency response, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for Jamaicans.

In addition to improving healthcare infrastructure, SHINE also supported Project STAR.

This year, participants can look forward to an enhanced and immersive racing experience that includes dynamic sponsor activations, expanded digital engagement and storytelling, high-energy entertainment along the route and at the finish line, and pre-event Keep Fit sessions designed to foster community engagement and promote sustained wellness.

SHINE will continue to offer a unique blend of fitness, culture, and celebration, making it one of the most highly anticipated wellness events on Jamaica’s calendar and currently the only night run in Kingston.

Registration for SHINE 5K 2026 is now open at www.run2shineja.com and www.runningeventsja.com, with entry fees set at $3,000 for individuals and $2,500 for groups of 20 or more.