Ardenne High School has launched its second annual Optima 5K Run/Walk, a major fundraising initiative to support the construction of a wellness centre on the school’s campus. The event, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, at 6:30 am, will be managed by Running Events Limited for the first time, with registration available through runningeventsja.com.

The 5K, organized by the Ardenne Alumni Foundation under the leadership of Chairperson Flo Darby, is the foundation’s largest fundraiser to date, with all proceeds going toward the wellness centre, which will be the first of its kind for a Jamaican high school. With a growing student population of over 2,000, Ardenne High sees the wellness centre as crucial for supporting both the physical and mental health of its students and staff.

“We are planning to build a wellness centre for Ardenne High School, a space that focuses on physical and emotional health,” said Darby. “We’ll have a nurse on site, as well as rooms for guidance counsellors, a part-time psychiatrist, psychologist, and social worker. It will be the first of its kind in Jamaica, improving the environment for our students.”

Current estimates place the cost of the wellness centre at J$64 million, with a targeted completion date before the school’s 100th anniversary in 2027.

Two Olympians, 400m specialist and past Ardenne student Brandon Simpson and decathlete Maurice Smith, attended the event launch to endorse the initiative. Smith, whose siblings attended Ardenne, will also join Simpson at the start line on November 16, encouraging fellow athletes and supporters to participate in the cause.

Alfred “Franno” Francis of Running Events Limited expressed his excitement for the project, noting the importance of fostering a healthy lifestyle. “We will try our best to execute a well-organized event, giving participants the support they need while raising funds for this exceptional cause,” he said. “This initiative is exemplary for other schools to follow, and we hope to see strong participation from current and past Ardenne students, along with anyone interested in health and wellness.”

The route, as outlined by Francis, will start on Ardenne Road, then proceed through Trafalgar Park, onto Trafalgar Road, and follow a path along Lady Musgrave Road to Vale Royal. The course then turns onto Upper Montrose Road, onto Seymour Avenue, and returns to Ardenne Road, where participants will cross the finish line.

Registration costs are J$2,000 for adults and J$1,500 for students, with proceeds directly benefiting the wellness centre.

Terrence Ram, the head boy at Ardenne, emphasized the need for the centre, explaining that expanded facilities will provide students with a safe place to connect, relax, and engage with guidance staff. “The Ardenne Wellness Centre will give students a space to interact with guidance counsellors, share their thoughts, and develop personally,” Ram said.

The launch was attended by several prominent supporters, including school principal Jacqueline Pinto, Ardenne Alumni Association President Dr. Winston De La Haye, alumni, foundation members, and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, including Takese Foga, Director of Health Promotion and Education.

The Ardenne Optima 5K Run/Walk is poised to bring together students, alumni, and community members in a meaningful effort to foster a culture of wellness at Ardenne High School and build a lasting resource for future generations.

 Olympians Yohan Blake and Maurice Smith came out in support of the Ardenne Inaugural Optima 5K Run/Walk which was launched on Wednesday at the school's conference room in Kingston.

The organizer, the Ardenne Alumni Foundation is headed by Flo Darby, who said that the Inaugural Optima 5K Run/Walk is one of its premier fundraisers to support the construction of a state-of-the-art Health & Wellness Centre on the school grounds to serve the over 2000 students and staff at the institution. Ground was broken earlier this year for the planned JMD$60-million-dollars two-storey facility.

Construction is expected to begin in 2024.

When completed the Wellness Centre will house a reception and waiting area, three offices for guidance counsellors, two consultation rooms, nurse's station, student and staff sickbays and associated rest rooms, general male and female rest rooms, a coffee/tea/beverage station, student lounge, multi-purpose room and multi-purpose roof terrace.

Blake's support is in the form of sponsor through his water brand - Reviere Water - which was itself launched recently and will become available to the public on November 1. He said that he plans to attend the event which is slated for Saturday, November 4 starting at 6:30 am at the school’s gate on Ardenne Road.

Blake has the second fastest time (9.69) in the 100m and is the youngest male athlete to ever win gold in the 100m at the World Championship.

Smith attended the launch to show his support for the event in recognition of his brother and sister who both attended Ardenne High as well as his friends and fellow Olympians Brandon Simpson and Nickeisha Wilson.

 The now retired decathlete encouraged everyone to join him at the start line even though 5K is not his preferred event in track and field. Smith won a silver medal in 2007 World Championship in Osaka, Japan.

Jennifer Small aka 'Jenny Jenny' whose daughter is a student at Ardenne has also thrown her support behind the event in the form of 'spokesperson'.

The Ardenne Alumni Foundation is headed by Flo Darby, who said that the Inaugural Optima 5K Run/Walk is one of its premier fundraisers to support the building of a state-of-the-art Health & Wellness Centre on the school grounds to serve the over 2000 students and staff at the institution. Ground was broken earlier this year for the JMD$60 million dollars two-storey building with the intention to start construction in 2024.

When completed the Wellness Centre will house a reception and waiting area, three offices for guidance counsellors, two consultation rooms, nurse's station, student and staff sickbays and associated rest rooms, general male and female rest rooms, a coffee/tea/beverage station, student lounge, multi-purpose room and multi-purpose roof terrace.

Meet manager Alan Beckford said that the race/walk will start on time at 6:30 am, will have a full medical team and four water stops.  Ardenne High School's principal, Nadine Molloy welcomed the event and promised that everybody at the school will be out in full to ensure its success.

Chairperson of the organizing committee Dr. Kamille Adair Morgan appealed to the public to participate by registering as soon as possible. Registration cost is JMD$2,000 for adults and JMD$1,200 for students.

Several sponsors have already committed support for the event. They are Barita Foundation, General Accident, Reviere Water, Marathon Insurance Brokers, Lashings Villas, Rehab Villas, Rehab Oasis, TIP Friendly society, HomeMaid Jamiaca, Yushaine Morgan & Company, Clean Crew Jamaica, Simply Perfect Events, Krystal Clear Productions, Church of God Jamaica, Ministry of Health & Wellness and Ramsons.