On Sunday, 26 April 2026, the roads of Anguilla carried memory, purpose and the steady rhythm of wheels turning in tribute, as cyclists of all ages gathered for the 19th Annual Jamida Webster Memorial Race, hosted by the Anguilla Cycling Association.
Starting at Greta Bar in Island Harbour, competitors set off on the now-familiar 18.5-kilometre loop that winds through East End, Long Path, The Valley, Stoney Ground and Welches before returning to its starting point. The route, at once scenic and demanding, offered a fitting stage for an event that has grown into one of Anguilla’s most meaningful sporting traditions.
Young cyclists in the Under-9, Under-11 and Under-13 categories lined up alongside more seasoned competitors in Elite and Masters divisions, while novices found their place among them. The Primary Schools BMX relay races added a lively dimension to the day, drawing cheers from families and spectators who gathered in support, many of them following the race along different points of the route.
Participants travelled not only from Anguilla but also from neighbouring St. Martin and St. Maarten, underscoring the event’s growing regional appeal. Yet, for all its competitive spirit, the race has never been solely about speed or victory. It remains, at its core, an act of remembrance.
Jamida Webster’s name has become synonymous with youth, promise and the enduring power of community. Nearly two decades on, her story continues to resonate not as a moment frozen in tragedy, but as a reminder of what was possible and what still can be. A cycling prodigy in her own right, those who knew her often speak of her vibrancy, her ambition and the sense that she stood at the threshold of a bright future. It is that sense of possibility that the race quietly honours each year.
Her parents, Mr. Kent Webster and Mrs. Iris Hughes, were present once again. Their attendance, like the race itself, reflects a continuity of love and remembrance that has not diminished with time. Instead, it has evolved into something shared by an entire island.
Over the years, the memorial race has also come to symbolise the nurturing of young talent in Anguilla. For many of the children who participated on Sunday, this was more than a competition, it was an introduction to discipline, resilience and the camaraderie of sport. For others, particularly those returning year after year, it is a marker of growth, both personal and athletic.
What makes the Jamida Webster Memorial Race endure is not simply its longevity, but its ability to connect generations. It invites reflection without dwelling in sorrow, and encourages forward motion — both literally and figuratively.
Nineteen years on, the race stands as a testament to what Anguilla can do when it chooses to remember not only what was lost, but what still endures. Jamida Webster’s legacy lives on — carried forward, year after year, along the island’s roads.
By Janissa Fleming
