I’ve always been pretty good about following Doctor’s Orders. In a recent visit she noted that there was a very good chance that I’d have an amazing experience at Reggae Marathon this December 6…if I followed her advice precisely!

So in the interest of continuing the advancement of Medical Science…and not wanting to disobey the Doctor’s Orders, here is the prescription for a great Reggae Marathon experience:

1. Register!  You can’t have a great Reggae Marathon experience if you don’t register.  Click this link to register online now:  Reggae Marathon Registration.  Included in your fee is a Puma T Shirt, a ticket to the Reggae Marathon Pasta Party Friday night and refreshments and replenishment post-race on Saturday (Coconuts, Bananas and Red Stripe).
2. Attend the Reggae Marathon Pasta Party.  It starts at 5 pm on Friday night at the Couples Swept Away Sporting Complex.  Chefs from the local Negril hotels compete with their pasta dishes so you’ll have lots of choices from which to load up on carbos.  It’s outdoors, it’s chaotic, there’s loud Reggae Music…I love it!
3. Get to the start on time.  In a mass start promptly at 5:15 am on Saturday morning, Reggae Marathon Race Director Frano sends off all 3 events:  10K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon.  Torches blaze the way at the start then it’s out into the road course under well-lit street lights.  Take advantage of water and electrolyte fluid replacement in convenient plastic pouches at each Aid Station.  Aid Stations are set up at every mile along the entire course.
4. Smile for the Camera at the Finish.  You’re in Jamaica!  In December!!  Steps from the world-famous white sand Negril beach!!!  And you’ve completed your run.  I’m smiling now just thinking about it.
5. Enjoy the post-race Reggae Marathon party.  Fresh cut coconut, bananas and cold Red Stripe Beer just for Reggae Marathoners.  Oh, and there is live music and dancing along with the prize presentations all in the finish area.  Then once outside on the beach, Massage stations are set up just steps from the Sea. (Coconuts, Bananas and Red Stripe).
6. Run into the Sea in your running gear.  OK, take off your shoes first but running into the sea is a ‘Must Do’.
7. Plan for Reggae Marathon 2015.  The date as it always is: the first Saturday in December in Negril.

There you have it:  7 easy steps, the perfect prescription for a great Reggae Marathon. Want more proof that this prescription works?  Here are a couple of photos of Runners at Reggae Marathon.  The first is ‘Before’ taken right at 5:15 am at the start and the second is ‘After’ in the post-finish area:

Until next time…

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