Montego Bay, Jamaica – Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), Adam Stewart, expressed profound gratitude and emotion following a record-breaking turnout at the 2025 Jill Stewart Mobay City Run on Sunday morning. The annual charity event, renamed in 2024 to honor the memory of his late wife, Jill Stewart, saw thousands gather along Howard Cooke Boulevard in Montego Bay to participate in support of education and wellness.
“It’s overwhelming, overwhelming. I’ve never seen so many people in this run—there was a sea of people,” Stewart told reporters, visibly moved by the magnitude of support. Participants spanned all walks of life and arrived from across Jamaica and beyond, including countries such as the United States and Canada. “People from the United States, Canada, all over Jamaica—Kingston, St Catherine, Westmoreland—you name it,” Stewart noted.
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The race, known for its charitable mission, encapsulates the values Jill Stewart held dear: community, fitness, and access to education. “What Jill represented was community, athletics, and education, and that is exactly what the run is all about,” Stewart reflected. “The whole of Jamaica, not just Montego Bay, coming together to support education while doing something that keeps you fit and healthy… this would be exactly what she would want, and I am just overwhelmed at the support and the turnout.”
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon also expressed satisfaction with the record participation. According to preliminary estimates, approximately 6,500 individuals took part, far surpassing the event’s typical goal of 5,000. “I am happy that persons didn’t just sign up but actually came out and participated,” he said. “Based on the information that we are getting, this was probably the largest run in Montego Bay. We heard 6,500. If we continue on this trajectory, probably by next year we have to consider utilizing the perimeter road for the traffic and taking over the entire boulevard for the run.”
Among the many participants was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, who joined the crowd in support of the event on May 4, 2025. Prime Minister Andrew Holness also endorsed the initiative, describing the run as “a good look” for the city of Montego Bay. “I think the Mobay City Run is growing, it’s for a good cause and in honor and memory of Jill,” said Holness. “I think in terms of a good product as well for Montego Bay, for sports tourism and wellness, it’s a good look, and the proceeds go towards worthy causes.”
The Jill Stewart Mobay City Run is one of five major charity races hosted in Montego Bay annually. The others include the Montego Bay Night Run, MBJ Charity Run, Breast Cancer Awareness Run, and the Guardian Group Night Run. Mayor Vernon lauded the collective impact of these events, noting their role in national development. “They are all geared towards enhancing education, providing scholarships to our students, and importantly, towards health and wellness,” he said. “It’s a good thing for Montego Bay and we are looking forward to bigger and better things in coming years.”
The overwhelming success of this year’s run has solidified its place not only as a tribute to Jill Stewart’s legacy but also as a cornerstone event for charitable engagement and community spirit in Jamaica’s second city.
