A groundbreaking one-of-a-kind community event that merges long-distance relay running with traditional Caribbean baking is slated to kick off in Dominica on August 1, 2026, with far-reaching benefits for multiple local public welfare projects spanning education, agriculture, tourism, health and sports. The initiative received its official launch on Sunday, April 12, in the coastal town of Delices, where organizers outlined the event’s structure, goals and registration details to local stakeholders and the press.
The relay race will open with the White River Leg, starting right in Delices, with participating teams following a marked route that runs alongside the scenic White River. What sets this event apart from standard relay races is its intentional integration of local culinary experiences at every stage of the course, designed to create a more immersive experience that celebrates Dominica’s food culture while keeping participants energized. Organizers have extended invitations to individual runners and pre-formed teams from across Dominica and the entire Caribbean region, aiming to draw a diverse, multilateral group of participants.
Shirlyn James Graham, founder of the event, explained that the core mission of the initiative is to drive inclusive economic opportunity, especially for communities in Dominica’s South East region. By bringing together a wide cross-section of local business owners and workers—including small shopkeepers, roadside food vendors, local farmers, commercial fishermen, tour guides, and hoteliers—alongside participating runners along the route, the event connects different segments of the community. It unites people through shared physical activity and culinary tradition, all while advancing targeted youth empowerment and community development projects across the island.
Competing teams will each be made up of nine members, vying for a total prize pool of 6,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars. Beyond the overall prize, special awards will be given out for standout performances: Fastest Runner, Most Creative Team, and Most Disciplined Team. Every registered team will receive a catered breakfast on race day and custom branded event T-shirts. For spectators and local attendees, a traditional Creole breakfast will be available for purchase at 30 Eastern Caribbean dollars, alongside a wide range of other local delicacies from small vendors along the route. Organizers are also running a fundraising raffle, with tickets priced at 10 Eastern Caribbean dollars each; the grand prize is 1,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars worth of professional catering services from local popular provider Tasty Treasures.
Registration for the event is currently open at a discounted promotional rate of 700 Eastern Caribbean dollars per team, a price point that will be available through June 15, 2026. After that deadline, the registration fee will increase to 900 Eastern Caribbean dollars per team. Interested teams can pick up registration forms at the Tan Tofi Store located at 10 Marlborough Street in Roseau, positioned directly opposite the Discover Dominica Authority offices.
All net proceeds from the relay event will be donated to three local community organizations: House of Hope in Delices, Chances in Jimmit, and St. Martin Secondary School. This relay event follows a successful community essay competition that organizers held this past March, and it forms a core part of a larger long-term effort to engage local communities through both creative expression and physical activity. As preparations for the August 1 race continue, event leaders are urging interested teams to complete their registration early to secure their spot at the promotional rate and guarantee participation in the inaugural event.