JN Group Race for Hope Expands Environmental Impact Through JET Partnership

4 min read

(L-r) Sheldon Seymour, director of the Nature Preservation Foundation (NPF); Carla Myrie, executive director, NPF; Claudine Allen, general manager, JN Foundation and Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, chief executive officer of the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), engage in conversation at the media launch for the 2027 JN Group Race for Hope 5k and Kids Fun Run, held at the Tree House at Hope Gardens, St Andrew on November 4. The event, scheduled for January 17, 2027, will support the revitalisation of Hope Gardens and JET's School Environment Programme (SEP).

The JN Group Race for Hope 5K & Kids Fun Run is deepening its commitment to environmental sustainability by partnering with the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) for the 2027 staging of the event. Proceeds from the road race will support restoration of the Hope Royal Botanic Gardens in St Andrew, as well as environmental education and climate awareness.

Under the theme RUN. RESTORE. GROW., the event, scheduled for January 17, 2027, will support the rehabilitation of the Gardens’ internal roadway network, while providing funding for JET’s School Environment Programme (SEP).

The announcement was made at the media launch for the event at the Tree House at Hope Gardens on November 4, 2026.

Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, who represented JN Group as title sponsor, said the decision to direct proceeds towards both the restoration of Hope Gardens and JET’s work demonstrates the shared commitment of the JN Group and the Nature Preservation Foundation, which manages Hope Gardens, to investing in the environment and the people who will shape its future.

“Restoring a physical space is only one part of the responsibility we have towards the environment. We must also grow awareness and understanding, while appreciating the role our natural environment plays in our everyday lives,” she said. “Through this partnership with JET, the JN Group Race for Hope has an opportunity to encourage greater environmental consciousness and inspire more Jamaicans, particularly our young people, to become active participants in protecting our natural resources.”
Claudine Allen, General Manager of the JN Foundation

Ms Allen said the JN Group remains committed to the initiative, recognising that “sustainability and resilience must be part of how we think, operate and invest, especially as we continue to face climate related challenges.”

For Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, chief executive officer of JET, the partnership provides an opportunity to extend the impact of the organisation’s environmental education work while contributing to the preservation of one of Jamaica’s important natural spaces.

“Environmental education is about more than sharing information. It is about helping people develop a connection with the natural world and understand their role in caring for the environment. As Jamaica faces mounting challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss, it is increasingly important that young people understand these issues, how they affect their communities and their future, and how they can respond to a changing climate while helping to protect the natural systems that sustain us,” she said.

“Race for Hope gives us an opportunity to support both the preservation of this important national natural space and a broader investment in environmental education for our young people. We are excited about this partnership and what it can achieve as we work with the Nature Preservation Foundation and the JN Group to advance our shared objectives,” she added.
Dr Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie, Chief Executive Officer of JET

The Nature Preservation Foundation, which also conceptualised the race and leads its organisation and management annually, said it welcomes the extended partnership as continued support for Hope Gardens is critical to preserving and enhancing the historic botanical attraction, which serves as an important recreational, educational and environmental resource for Jamaicans and visitors.

“We want to strengthen its botanical collections, improve the infrastructure, enhance the visitors’ experience and create more opportunities for collaboration between education, tourism and the overall community. We want Hope Gardens to become a living demonstration of sustainability, showing how we can protect our nature, protect our environment and create a space that fosters social engagement and opportunity,” shared director Sheldon Seymour.

For the 2026 race, registrations were up 70 per cent over the previous year, with individuals, families, running clubs and corporate teams coming together in support of wellness and environmental preservation. Part of the proceeds assisted the recovery of women entrepreneurs whose businesses and livelihoods were affected by Hurricane Melissa.

“We want to double registrations for next year,” said Carla Myrie, executive director of the Nature Preservation Foundation. “Race for Hope offers people an opportunity to enjoy healthy physical activity while contributing to the future of Hope Gardens. I cannot overstate how important Hope Gardens is to Jamaica. We continue to lose green spaces and so it is important that we have a space where people can come to for free,” she emphasised.

Registration for the 2027 JN Group Race for Hope is now open via the Running Events Jamaica website.