Taking place in Jamaica between 2–5 October, this year’s event will raise funds for lifesaving equipment to help critically ill children in the country, including those impacted by Hurricane Melissa last Autumn.

30 aspiring athletes and travel industry professionals from the UK are joining forces with community heroes in Jamaica to take on a test of physical and mental wills across land and sea. The group will also take on a series of long-distance runs, sea kayaking, mountain hiking, zip lining, and even a military challenge.

The schedule for the Island Challenge – Jamaica 2026 is:
• Day one: 10km run through local communities and 10km kayak along the island’s coast
• Day two: Climb the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls, which is 55 metres high and 180 metres long, followed by an 8km forest trek and zip lining through the jungle
• Day three: Half marathon (21km run) through the 18th century Georgian-style town of Falmouth
• Day four: Military endurance challenge followed by a hike in the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Blue & John Crow Mountains with an elevation of 4,500 feet

Karl Thompson, founder of the Island Challenge and UK director for the Sandals Foundation, says, “It’s been a tough few months for Jamaica after the impact of Hurricane Melissa last October, so this Island Challenge is arguably the most important one yet. We’re doing this to raise money to make a real difference to families going through a really tough time, and to give them hope.”

Every penny raised from the Island Challenge – Jamaica 2026 will be used to strengthen the ability of healthcare teams at hospitals along the northern corridor of Jamaica, enabling them to deliver quality care with essential equipment and building repairs.

Over the last three years, the Island Challenge has raised over £300,000 to bolster neonatal care in the Caribbean islands, helping approximately 600 babies each year.

The Island Challenge – Jamaica 2026 is kindly supported by partners including Sandals Resorts, British Airways, Island Routes Adventure Tours, and the Jamaica Tourism Board.