Seasoned runner April Francis clinched her fifth Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer 5K title on October 25, but it was her act of generosity after the race that captured hearts. After crossing the finish line with a winning time of 22 minutes and 37.41 seconds, Francis handed her trophy to nine-year-old Adrianna Garcia, a young runner who had been leading the race but was forced to slow down due to an injury. Competing under her sponsorship team Extra Mile, Francis navigated the course around Queen’s Park Savannah in St Clair with determination. Reflecting on her decision, Francis shared that she and Garcia had shared an emotional moment during the race. ‘I saw Adrianna, who I’m familiar with, under a lot of pressure and in pain. I decided to stick with her, motivate her, and pull her along,’ Francis explained. Despite Garcia’s setback, Francis felt the young runner deserved recognition for her effort and perseverance. ‘I wasn’t really thinking about myself; I was more thinking about her. She was fighting really hard for it, and I felt like she deserved it,’ Francis added. Garcia, competing in the one to 19 age group, was later adjudged the overall winner in her category with a time of 24:43.40. Francis’s gesture resonated deeply with onlookers, embodying the spirit of the event. The race also saw Raheem Modeste as the first male finisher in 18:23.91, marking the third consecutive year men were allowed to participate. Other notable winners included Britney Choon-Ramsoondar (20-29), Alissa Ali (30-39), Claire Fortune (40-49), Kim Gomez (50-59), and Christine Regis (60+). The event, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was hailed by Scotiabank’s managing director Gayle Pazos as a testament to the courage of breast cancer survivors and the collective effort to combat the disease.