MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Nearly five months after Hurricane Melissa damaged the girls’ dormitory at their school, Holmwood Technical’s track team entered the Burger King 5K & Relay (BK 5K) seeking a sense of normalcy.

The team, which had long ago established itself as a worthy competitor amongst the very best, barely made it to the 20th staging of the event.

For them, the physical and mental toll of the storm had been significant.

“Our team basically was impacted because we got damaged, mainly our dormitory for the girls,” explained Dave Anderson, head Coach of the Holmwood Technical High School track and field team.

While noting that recovery has been “slow but steady”, the disruption to the students’ lives and training schedules was a major hurdle before reaching the BK 5K starting line.

But they made the journey to Kingston thanks to a little help from organisers.

Recognising Holmwood as a long-time, loyal attendee that anchored the event over its 20 years, Burger King provided a sponsorship that covered transportation, meals and entry fees to ensure they still had a shot at this year’s improved prize pool, and for the students, it was a lifeline.

“Sports has been a stress breaker for them,” Anderson said.

“We continue to put them into situations that can relieve their mind of the situation they have at home and even at school,” added Anderson.

Burger King Jamaica representative Tiffany Wiggan (right) poses for a photo with the 1st place female runner Ronesha Rhule and her team coach Dave Anderson.

He said the timing of the rescheduled event was not ideal, with many of their best runners unable to participate in the BK 5K so late in the season. And, the competition was even tougher this year than in years past.

For its 20th anniversary, the event underwent a strategic shift, widening its categories to include more community teams from corporate sectors, gyms and running clubs.

This pivot increased the participation to more than double the count from previous years, meaning the students were no longer just competing against their peers, but against a much broader and more diverse field of runners.

Yet, even with stiffer competition and the lingering weight of ongoing hurricane recovery, the spirits of the team remained untouchable. Holmwood Technical swept several categories, including finishing first and third in the female runners’ categories and being crowned school female team champions, as well as taking second place for overall male school team champions.

Their dominance allowed them to walk away with a significant portion of the record $2 million prize pool.

Florence Nafamba, vice-captain of the team, who was at the 5K to offer moral support, noted that the opportunity was about more than just the cash prizes.

“It means a lot because this is a big, big opportunity and a support for us as a school,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for us to get a personal best and to improve on our programme.”

Meanwhile, Rashai Graham, Burger King’s community, communications and strategy executive, noted that while the event this year focused on a community experience for everyone, the heart of the run remains committed to youth sport development.

“Burger King has been a long-time supporter of youth sport development, and we are proud to have sponsored a remarkable school like Holmwood Technical to attend and compete. Despite all the circumstances the team and the school have been facing, their determination and grit helped them to come out on top. Their achievements at this year’s BK 5K are a reminder that with strong community support, our young people can rise and win,” said Graham.

As the crowds dispersed from Emancipation Park, the message of the morning was clear for the champions from Holmwood Technical: the 20th Burger King 5K was more than a race; it was a finish line that marked a renewed energy.

“I want to thank Burger King for giving us the opportunity. We really appreciate it, and in the future, we look to continue the partnership,” said Anderson.