HUNDREDS OF local and overseas long distance runners and walkers are expected to descend on the resort town of Negril on Sunday, December 7, for the staging of the 2002 Reggae Marathon.
The event, now in its second year, is expected to attract over 500 members of the American Heart/Stroke Association (ASA). The winner will take home the Bob Marley Trophy and pocket US$25,000 in prize money.
"Last year was quite successful and we proved that it was quite possible to elevate long and middle distance running to world class prominence in Jamaica," said Delrose Campbell, the president of the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston, which is planning the event. "This year we are working towards making the reggae marathon even better."
Alfred "Frano" Francis, the Race Director of the Club, said the ASA has not only reconfirmed its participation but will be coming with a larger group than it did last year: "The president of the American Heart Association is now a Jamaican so this will indeed be a memorable event for this group," he said.
In addition to the 'elite' runners from the different countries, a number of local Jamaica personality are also slated to participate. Former Miss World, Lisa Hanna, Sportscaster Simon Crosskill and actor Michael "Boise" London are all slated to participate in the celebrity segment of the event. According to Francis, the event will once again feature a roster of activities that will not only be an attraction for those participating in the race but also for visitors to Negril.
"It is clear from the response that we got last year, that this event can be a considerable boost for tourism in Negril and in Jamaica," said Francis. "I think that based on the business that the event brought to the resort and the overall economic impact on the area, the people are now convinced that sports tourism in general and Reggae Marathon in particular, can be an asset to their community."
Special features of this year's marathon will be a two-day Marathon Expo, slated for the Swept Away Sports Complex; a "pasta" party; and the Red stripe Bash in Negril Town Square, which will feature a DJ competition.
The weekend's activities will culminate with the Marathon Victory jam at the popular Risky Business. Sponsors who are already on board for this year's Raggae Marathon include the Jamaica Tourist Board, Air Jamaica, Burger King (Jamaica), Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, Sunburst Holidays, JHTA, Red Stripe, Risky Business, Tastee Ltd., C&W Jamaica Ltd., Frame by Frame, What's On Jamaica, Info-Channel Limited, Tru-Juice, Island Dairies Limited, Victoria, Mutual Building Society, WXM Digital Radio and Dehring, Bunting and Golding.
