Reggae Marathon moves to Kingston, organisers expect greater local support

Organisers of this year’s 25th staging of the Reggae Marathon say they are expecting a record turnout for the event, which for the first time will be held in Kingston after being staged in Negril for the past 24 years. The highly anticipated event will be held on December 7.

Chief organiser Ian Kelly said the move to Kingston marks a new and exciting chapter for the prestigious event.

“It is renewness and it is exciting and it is one of those events in life that require changes,” said Kelly during Wednesday’s launch which was held at S Hotel in Kingston.

“We have been in Negril for 24 years and would have thought that given all that is required to organise a world-class event the Negril community was not willing to give us what is required, and, as such, Kingston presents an opportunity for us to grow, and, as such, we are excited. Everyone is excited to have it in Kingston from the organising committee, the Jamdammer club and surely by the running community in Jamaica,” said Kelly.

He noted that they are anticipating a strong international showing with runners expected from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Japan, further cementing the Reggae Marathon’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier sporting and cultural events.

This year’s staging will feature the Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, charting a scenic route past some of Kingston’s cultural landmarks including the National Gallery, the Supreme Court, and the vibrant Water Lane Artwalk, before finishing along the Kingston Waterfront. Kelly added that hosting the event in Kingston will make it easier for local runners to participate.

“In fact, we are expecting an even greater turnout as local participants in the past who want to do a 5K or 10K at Reggae Marathon because of the cost it has become unaffordable to them, and, as such, we think being in Kingston provides easier access. Yes, there are no beaches, but there are many other things that we will put in place to support the event,” he explained.

Race director Alfred ‘Franno’ Francis also believes Kingston will take the Reggae Marathon to another level.

“Kingston has so much more to offer with respect to the Reggae Marathon and I vision growth where the event is concerned. The accessibility for the persons who have wanted to compete in the event for many years, but were unable to access it through economics and physical travel, they are now able to do so in Kingston this year,” he said.

“I also see a situation where the running clubs are coming together next Saturday to explore the Kingston route. The Kingston waterfront where we will be having the event is just beautiful and it is a certified course and with the height and intensity of the Reggae Marathon, I expect that we will have more persons participating than we have ever had before,” Francis said. “The route is excellent because it captures Kingston’s waterfront and it captures the artwalk and boardwalk of Kingston.”