A FUND-RAISING DRIVE has been launched by the Negril Reggae Marathon Committee, backed by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), to help stage the 2003 event set for December 6 in Negril.
The drive kicks off on August 22 with a dinner and entertainment party at the Negril Hills Golf Club.
Guest speaker at last week's launch, held at Beaches Sandy Bay, was JHTA president Godfrey Dyer.
He said the JHTA was pleased to be affiliated with Reggae Marathon and also confirmed his association's confidence in the continued success of the race.
The concept of a Reggae Marathon was formulated by the Kingston-based Jamdammers Running Club and was first held in December 2001.
"The idea of a marathon in Jamaica that could both satisfy the challenge for local long-distance runners and appeal to visitors in the ever-growing sports tourism market was the original concept," stated Diane Ellis, of the Reggae Marathon organisation.
The Reggae Marathon has been hailed by the Negril community as a source of increased visitor arrivals in an otherwise slow tourism season.
"The multiplier effect of this exciting sports tourism experience is a blessing that hoteliers, taxi operators, restaurants and retailers, to name a few, welcome with open arms," said Merlene Warner, general manager at Beaches Sandy Bay.
