My first Reggae Marathon was back in 2009 but this is about Penelope North from the UK and the story of her first Reggae Marathon at Sweet 16 this December 3.  And it’s going to be a special one…up until 1994 Penelope was a serious marathon runner with multiple marathons under her belt.  In 1994 she suffered a really bad car accident and was told she’d never run again!  For 21 years that was the case.  Then in 2015 Penelope began running again. Local 5K park runs to begin then moving on to 10K’s, 10 milers and just recently the Liverpool Half Marathon.  But let’s here from her:

This will be my first Reggae Marathon and my first Marathon since 1994! That year I did the Las Vegas, LA and Boston Marathons….I was a nanny living in LA at the time. That year I also had the car accident. I did marathons then in under 3 and 1/2 hours.

I have NO chance of doing a 3 and 1/2 hour marathon ever again and I so badly want one more marathon medal I thought I may as well pick the place I had my best holiday ever and do what seems to be the funnest marathon ever. I LOVE reggae music…SO looking forward to Reggae Marathon this December.

I chose Reggae Marathon because I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun and Jamaica is where I enjoyed a great vacation back in 2001.  This is my favorite photo from that experience.

Drank in a bar called Pee Wees and young man Danny (that’s him on the right) took me scrambling up a hillside to have dinner with some freinds of his who cooked for us outside. I like to get about and eat out!

I now stick to the “fun” races like the “Wineathlon”.  This is from a recent one.

I will be super happy just to complete another marathon and do it in under the 6 hours! I want the “one more medal” that the Doctor’s said I would not get…Reggae Marathon.

Penelope, we’re ready for you in Negril this December.  Let’s plan to meet up Friday night at the Reggae Marathon Pasta Party.  Thanks for sharing your truly inspiring running story…stay safe!

Until next time…

Reggae Marathon RunninGuy (aka Sugar ‘Tuff Gong’ Bong)

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