From Left: Organiser of Reggae Marathon Diane Ellis with Gleaner sponsored marathon team members Tanya Powell-Edwards, Lonsdale Ergus and their fellow marathon participant Trisha Lee, a Jamdammer sponsored runner. They were celebrating the end of the annual Reggae Marathon in Negril last weekend. - CONTRIBUTED
LONSDALE ERGUS saw the advertisement in The Gleaner and thought it was worth a try. On December 3, after completing the Reggae Half Marathon he believes it was.
"It was great," he recalls after walking the distance in three hours and 48 minutes. Mr. Ergus had participated in other events like Cancer Society events but this was his first marathon experience. He had no problems with walking the half marathon.
"I generally walk all the time. If I'm waiting for a taxi or something and I get impatient, I'll just start walking. So it has become a part of me," he explained.
MORE CAN BE DONE
He has one grouse with the experience; the lack of recognition given to walkers. He feels that more can be done for those who prefer the slower method of competition.
"They should provide prizes for walkers. A medal, trophy, gift voucher, anything like that. It doesn't have to be cash," he reasons. Mr. Ergus is a Sales Representative for the American Chamber of Commerce.
