The club that built Jamaica’s running movement

Thirty years ago, long before running became a staple of urban life in Kingston, a small group of early-morning joggers at the Mona Dam unknowingly laid the foundation for what would become one of Jamaica’s most influential running organisations. They were simply a cluster of runners who stayed on the path longer than most, cooling down at dusk while talking about running shoes, mileage, and the big dream, tackling a marathon together one day.

From those casual conversations came the idea of forming a club. A meeting was called, the decision was made and, by 1996, the newly formed Jamdammers Running Club was training for its first international marathon – the Marine Corps Marathon. The rest, as Dr Kemroy Johnson, current president, said, “is history”.

A name rooted in Jamaica’s running culture, the club’s unique name is itself part of the lore. Since their home base was the Mona Dam, the earliest suggestion was ‘DamJammers’. Eventually, the group settled on a name that honoured the space that shaped them, while also reflecting national identity: Jam for Jamaica, and Dammers for the runners who began their journey circling the Mona Dam.

Planting the seeds of road running in Jamaica long before running clubs and runners dotted Kingston’s roadways, Jamdammers was providing structure, weekly Saturday runs, mid-week group workouts, and the kind of social support that encouraged ordinary Jamaicans to lace up and join in.

“We set the template for others to follow,” Johnson reflected. “We create a running space where people feel a sense of belonging, no matter your fitness level.”

At the time, recreational running was rare. Road races were dominated by student-athletes or members of formal track clubs.

“People who saw us running on the road thought we were crazy,” he said laughing. But today, early-morning runners and walkers are a common sight, part of a wellness culture that Jamdammers helped ignite.

The club’s influence goes much deeper than physical training. Members credit their involvement with improving their mental and social well-being, introducing them to new friendships, new cities through destination races, and a community built on camaraderie.

A club that helped shape major national events, in addition to running together, Jamdammers played a significant role in building Jamaica’s modern road-racing calendar.

Their first major event was the 1999 Sagicor SIGMA Corporate Run, when the group was approached by SIGMA Investments for help with conceptualising a charity race for Corporate Jamaica. At the time, road-racing infrastructure was minimal, but Jamdammers stepped forward. The running club also maintains weekly Saturday morning community runs across Kingston, offering runners and walkers up to 10 miles of group training, and has hosted ‘Runners Unite’ events, welcoming all local running clubs.

PRIMARY OUTREACH FOCUS

Beyond athletics, the club’s primary outreach focus has been its longstanding support for Special Olympics Jamaica, reinforcing its mission of inclusivity and service.

The birth of the Reggae Marathon, a Jamaican original, one of Jamdammers’ boldest undertakings, came in 2000 when nearly 40 members travelled to the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. The course featured live music, including a reggae band, sparking an idea that would transform Jamaica’s running landscape.

“That experience set off the momentum to up our game,” Johnson said.

“We wanted to create a unique, world-class international event in the home of reggae.”

With vision, innovation, and volunteer power, the Reggae Marathon was born. Over the past 25 years, it has attracted thousands of international participants who return again and again, often citing the warmth, culture, and hospitality that Jamdammers built into the race experience.

This year’s Reggae Marathon held special significance. Not only was it the 25th anniversary, but December 7 marked the first time the event was staged in Kingston, after being held in Negril for the last 24 years. Even with the shift to Kingston, the club has remained intentional about honouring the communities that supported the race for nearly a quarter century.

As part of this commitment, the organisers launched a Hurricane Melissa relief initiative that provides care packages to families in Negril and Green Island, communities that have long offered volunteers, hospitality, and unwavering support when the race was hosted in the west.

“The downtown Kingston route allows for increased numbers and a more accessible experience for some of our local participants,” Johnson said. “And, with bringing the race to Kingston, we wanted to ensure that the communities that helped nurture the Reggae Marathon’s early years still feel our gratitude. Supporting Negril and Green Island through Hurricane Melissa relief is one way of honouring that bond.”

As the club celebrates its 30th anniversary and simultaneously marks 25 years of the Reggae Marathon, it stands as a symbol of the growth, unity, and possibilities within Jamaica’s running landscape.

“This moment symbolises growth and togetherness,” Johnson said. “By sharing our stories, acknowledging how far we’ve come, and learning from each other, we’ve cultivated a deeper appreciation for the sport and its ability to enrich our lives. Running and walking are healthy, low-cost habits to last a lifetime, and we hope to see even more growth in the years ahead.”