LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
THE JAMDAMMERS Running Club, the racing force behind the third annual Reggae Marathon in Negril today, has a unique genesis.
It started out as a group of running enthusiasts at the Mona Dam in 1995 who simply wanted to lead a healthy lifestyle. But eight years later, it has evolved in to Jamaica's premier running club with an aim of bringing "Jamaican middle and long distance running to world-class prominence".
It now has 80 members and a strong impact on the growth and keen public interest in road races in Jamaica according to former president and race director of Reggae Marathon Alfred 'Frano' Francis.
"We have contributed a lot to the development of road racing in Jamaica. There is hardly a road race in Jamaica that you don't have the Jamdammers involved. Whether we 100 per cent organise it or we contribute logistically to it, there is hardly a road race that we are not involved in," Francis said.
Road racing has grown tremendously in the past four years and this year's races have been the most successful.
OUR BIGGEST RACES
"We had some of our biggest races this year. The numbers have increased significantly over the years, especially this year where we had races with hundreds of people in the 5K," Francis said.
Speaking on the history of road races Francis said, "we started this programme to get other people involved because we found that the road race calendar was dying. We are trying to get people out of their sedentary lifestyle and into a healthy lifestyle through running and I think we have had significant success where that is concerned," he said.
Reflecting on the course of the Jamdammers Club, Francis said they have realised one of their dreams.
"The Reggae Marathon, as a concept, is a dream come true. We are trying to build something where sports tourism is concerned and it is the ultimate event we have done," he said.
"On a whole, though, our road racing calendar is really the best thing that we have ever done when it comes to the involvement of a wide cross section of people in road races in Jamaica, especially the 5K which most people find approachable. It is the door for them to become marathon runners," he added.
