Hope Gardens came alive in a wave of red on Sunday morning May 25th 2025, as the HerFlow Foundation hosted the Red Run 5K and Fun Run, a powerful and energetic event dedicated to raising awareness and funds to end period poverty in Jamaica.
Beginning at 6:00 AM the event brought together passionate participants from across the island – friends, families, fitness lovers, advocates and first-time runners united for vital cause. Dressed in red to symbolize urgency and solidarity the attendees ran walked chaired and stood together to support menstrual equity and HerFlow’s ongoing advocacy work.
“This morning proved that when we come together with a purpose we can move mountains or in this case run towards real change,” said Shelly-Ann Weeks, award-winning advocate and Executive Director of HerFlow Foundation. “Period poverty is a public health and human rights issue. Too many Jamaican girls are still missing school or facing shame because they cannot access basic products they need to manage their periods. Red Run is a call to action and today Jamaica answered.”
The event featured exciting highlights that made it as fun as it was impactful. Before the run participants were energized with a warm up led by Sweet Energy Fitness. During the run they were kept motivated by the cheerleaders lined up along the track. After the run participants were awarded with medals, cooled down with Fruit Blossoms’ special edition all-natural fruit pops and were treated to cornmeal/pumpkin and peanut porridge courtesy of the Porridge Shoppe. The festive atmosphere continued with games and prize giveaways keeping the spirits high and the energy flowing.
After winning the popsicle eating competition, Public Health Specialist, Dr Kimone Young was in great spirits. “The fun was definitely on,” she shared holding her prize. “This was not just a run, this was informative healthy and fun! I learned that Jamaican girls need period products. So, rather than run for the best time, I ran for more awareness about period poverty.”
Anthony Kepple, Director of Sweet Energy Fitness, one of the event’s sponsors, added: “This initiative is well organized impactful and truly necessary. Supporting HerFlow opened my eyes to an issue I didn’t fully understand until I got involved. My team was proud to support and the event atmosphere at hope gardens was phenomenal we are committed to backing this mission for the long-term.”
Special thanks go out to the participants who generously donated menstrual products to support HerFlow’s ongoing drive to end period poverty across Jamaica.
Thanks to the overwhelming support, HerFlow Foundation is proud to announce that the Red Run 5K and Fun Run will now be a calendar event with the next staging set for Sunday May 24th, 2026. HerFlow extends heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and supporters who made this event possible: Ministry of Health and Wellness, grassroots Community Foundation Catherine speak water, Gatorade energy, fruit blossoms, grace Kennedy, Dacx Productions, Sweet Energy Fitness, Cari-Flo-Go, and Porridge Shoppe. And to all the volunteers and the participants thank you for running with purpose and heart. Your support will ensure that Jamaican girls don’t have to choose between her period and her education.
