The Challenge

My name is Mike De Roeck and I am undertaking an incredible journey to run the entire coastline of Jamaica, during the month of August 2026, covering more than 500 miles in just 3 weeks. My goal is to raise $70,000 to support youth programs at the Freedom Skatepark in Bull Bay and beyond!

My journey will begin at the Freedom Skatepark, each day running a marathon (avg 26 miles) as I make my way around the island. This is a significant challenge for me, even as an avid runner, and I will be training primarily in New York City, where I am currently based.

My goal is to consistently run 120 miles per week to prepare for the physical demands ahead. However, there is limited information about running multiple marathons consecutively, and each person’s body responds differently to such intense training.

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Why Freedom Skatepark?

My love for Jamaica began as a teenager when my aunt gifted me a collection of Bob Marley CDs, sparking a lifelong passion for reggae and dub music. In 2019, I had the opportunity to support unemployed youth in finding work while living in Jamaica for a year. Based in Kingston, my appreciation for the country, its vibrant culture, and its sense of community grew deeper.

During this time, a friend and colleague shared his dream of building a skatepark in Jamaica, a vision that had been years in the making. Together with key partners like Concrete Jungle Foundation, Seprod Foundation, and Sandals Foundation, we turned that dream into reality, establishing the park near the birthplace of the Jamaican skate and surfing scenes, Jamnesia, in Bull Bay.

Since its opening in 2020, Freedom Skatepark has become a safe haven for young people, providing a community space to learn skateboarding and develop life skills. Currently, they run Concrete Jungle Foundation's Edu-Skate classes, as well as offer homework tutoring, reading lessons, yoga classes, and conflict resolution workshops.

Impact

To expand their impact in the Bull Bay community, I am aiming to raise $70,000. This funding will support the launch of new programs, including a nutrition program, which will provide meals to the young scholars who frequent the park, strengthening their bodies and minds while empowering them to stay focused and confident. Despite the hardships they face, these students arrive each day determined to learn and grow. This support not only fosters individual growth but also plays a crucial role in keeping youth engaged in positive activities—an essential step toward creating safer communities.

Additionally, the funds will support the purchase of a minibus, which will eliminate travel barriers for young people and allow the dedicated staff to travel to local schools, take children on field trips, and spread the joy of skateboarding across the island, connecting communities through sport and shared positive experiences.

In a dynamic and increasingly challenging world, young people need spaces where they can connect with others, learn new skills, and find support from mentors who are committed to helping them succeed.

Your support can help us achieve this goal and enrich the lives of countless young people in Jamaica.

More about Freedom Skatepark: https://freedomskateparkja.org/