South Florida’s beloved Jamaica-focused community fitness event is gearing up for its 2025 edition, with a star-studded roster of new ambassadors and growing participation projections that reflect its rising popularity among Caribbean diaspora communities. Dancehall icon Spragga Benz, veteran media personality and long-distance runner Patrice White, and Ky-Mani Marley have stepped into ambassador roles for the Jamaica Hi-5k Reggae Run/Walk, the announcement made during a recent virtual update hosted by Jamaica’s Consul General to the U.S. Southeast, Oliver Mair.
Widely recognized as the top community event in South Florida by Jamaicans.com, earning the title for both 2024 and 2025, the 5k gathering is far more than a casual running and walking competition. Conceived and spearheaded by Mair, the initiative blends physical activity, cultural celebration, health education, and philanthropic giving to strengthen connections among Jamaicans and Caribbean communities living in the United States. This year’s event will kick off at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at Miramar Regional Park in South Florida, with a lively post-race celebration running from 10 a.m. to noon packed with engaging activities for attendees of all ages.
The post-race lineup includes a high-energy reggae-robics fitness class, a community health fair focused on accessible preventive care, and a nutrition-focused food court featuring live cooking demonstrations. These offerings align directly with the event’s five core guiding principles: tracking personal health metrics, maintaining consistent physical activity, prioritizing balanced nutrition, fostering intentional community connection, and upholding a commitment to collective giving.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Adopt-A-Clinic initiative, a program that delivers critical resources and operational support to medical facilities across Jamaica. The event is hosted by Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam, and organizers have extended open invitations to runners, walkers, families, and community supporters from across the region and beyond to join the effort.
For Spragga Benz, the newly appointed ambassador role carries personal as well as community significance. During the announcement, he also shared a sneak peek of his upcoming multi-act production *Journey to Kingston*, scheduled for May 30 in Miramar, a show that traces the iconic dancehall artist’s decades-long musical journey. Expressing enthusiasm for his new ambassadorial post, Spragga Benz noted that the 5k’s community-focused format creates unique motivation for participants. “This 5k event helps to bring people together which motivates you better. I am definitely taking part….running, walking — whichever way,” he said. The artist, who earned the nickname “Spaghetti” in his youth for his slim, athletic build, shared that he maintains an active lifestyle to this day, and encouraged diaspora community members to make use of the region’s abundant parks and open public spaces.
Patrice White, an experienced runner who has completed 25 full marathons and 60 half marathons, shared actionable preparation tips for first-time participants and seasoned runners alike, drawing on her decades of racing experience. She emphasized that the final week leading up to the 5k is not the time for experimental training. “Now just a week before the event, please don’t try anything new — and I would not be advising the seasoned runners to attempt to squeeze in more hard running. Resting in the weekend more so the day before the event is important for everyone. Watch what you eat, especially days leading up to the event,” she explained.
White added that dietary familiarity and gentle digestion should be the top priority for pre-race eating, recommending easily digestible staples like pasta and sweet potatoes paired with adequate protein. She also stressed the importance of consistent hydration in the week leading up to the race, advising attendees to drink 8 to 16 ounces of water roughly two hours before the start time and continue sipping fluids throughout the event to avoid cramping and fatigue.
Organizers are projecting that around 2,000 people will register for this year’s event, a jump from 2024’s total of 1,500 participants that signals growing community interest in the initiative. For Mair, the 5k is more than a one-day gathering: it is a sustained movement to strengthen diaspora bonds and support Jamaican communities at home and abroad. “It’s a great networking opportunity,” Mair said. “It’s more than an event — it’s a movement.”