Reggae Marathon
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Website www.reggaemarathon.com
Tel:- (1 876) 922-8677
The Reggae Marathon is held on the first Saturday of December every year and has been running since the year 2000. The day features a full marathon, half marathon and 10k run.
The marathon starts early in the morning with a pre-dawn opening ceremony featuring Rastafarian drumming and flaming bamboo torches. A horn marks the start of the race which sets off from Long Bay Beach Park, runs south parallel to Long Bay then back north to Green Island before returning to Long Bay Beach Park. Runners are buoyed on by the sound of reggae music from live bands and sound systems along the route. At the finish line there are plenty of activities for exhausted runners, including drinks, massage tables and the Caribbean Sea!
The event is a member of the Association of International Marathons (AIMS) and is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
Other activitiesIn addition to the Marathon, a pasta party is held the night before to give runners a chance to "carb-up" before the big day. Parties are held afterwards for runners to celebrate their achievement.
PrizesPrizes are awarded across a variety of categories. The grand prizes awarded to the first man and woman to cross the finish line are hand sculpted Bob and Rita Marley trophies. Cash prizes are awarded to the first finishers in a variety of age and sex groups and all runners are awarded a Reggae Marathon medal.
The JamdammersThe Reggae Marathon is organised by the Jamdammers, a road running organisation based in Kingston. The organisation was established in 1995 and organises regular runs across Jamaica. The highlight of the Jamdammers calendar is the series of Grand Slam events, which culminates in the Reggae Marathon.
© 2011 Jamaica Travel and Culture .com
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