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Reggae Marathon return expected to boost tourist arrivals

Published:Sunday | November 13, 2022 | 12:10 AM
Showing off the finishers’ medals and Basil Watson-created Bob Marley statue for the overall male winner of the 2022 Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K event are (from left) Diane Ellis, sponsorship director, Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K; Alfr
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Showing off the finishers’ medals and Basil Watson-created Bob Marley statue for the overall male winner of the 2022 Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K event are (from left) Diane Ellis, sponsorship director, Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K; Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, race director, Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K; Alando Terrelonge, minister of state in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; and Sabrena McDonald Radcliffe, head of QSR Sales and Marketing, as well as group corporate communications director, Burger King.

The nearly 1,000 overseas participants expected for this year’s in-person staging of Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K in Negril will contribute to the post-COVID boom in tourism which is predicted to reach 3.7 million visitors by April 2023. More than 600 locals are also expected.

The 22nd staging of the internationally acclaimed in-person walk/run – which returns after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19 – is to be held from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4, 2022. The World Athletics-certified course will run from Long Beach Park, then loop into the town of Negril, head north to Bloody Bay and return to the finish line at Long Bay Beach Park.

With bookings already confirmed for major hotels in Negril, the largest group expected will be the over 400-member Reggae Runners charity group out of the United States, which will be returning for its 10th year of participation in the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K.

“Each year, members of the charity group make hotel reservations for the following staging before leaving the island, which shows the level of excitement, anticipation and respect they give to our event. Also, this group has been of tremendous help to the Green Island High School and other local charities in Negril, by donating ‘slightly worn’ athletic shoes and cash to help students participate in the annual event. And this year will be no exception,” said Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, race director for Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K.

Also expected to join the marathoners and half marathoners this year are teams from local Corporate Jamaica, as well as individuals.

“This is a positive sign for us that more Jamaicans are embracing long-distance running in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle through running,” continued the race director.

Another highlight of the event will be the participation of European marathoner Albert Meijir, who will run in Negril as part of his dream to attend his 50th event in the 50th country.

“His presence in Negril will also bring a lot of attention to our annual event, though extensive media coverage in Europe,” said Francis.

Registration and packet collection will begin on Friday, December 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Couples Swept Away Sports Complex, Negril. That exercise will continue the following day at the same venue.

Sunday, December 4 will be race day, beginning at 5:15 a.m. which will be followed by a Victory Beach Party.

There will be $1 million in cash and prizes, in addition to commemorative finisher medals and certificates and Bob Marley and Rita Marley trophies, sculpted by Basil Watson, to be presented to the male and female winners of the Reggae Marathon.

The event is sponsored by: The Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston; Jamaica Tourist Board; Negril Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association; Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association; Negril Chamber of Commerce; and PUMA Running.