December 8, 2024
Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Races

My First Reggae Marathon

My first Reggae Marathon was my first Reggae Marathon.  That was in 2009. Six years later I’m looking forward to my 7th consecutive Reggae Marathon weekend.  How did I get here?  Well, it began simply enough…

I needed to complete at least one Full Marathon.  Years ago in my first attempt I stumbled badly and had to pull out at the half way point.  It was a cold and rainy day, I went out too fast, I was cocky and thought I could overcome my lack of proper training.  Thankfully I was smart enough to quit when I did but the sting stuck with me for many years. I didn’t stop running though and moved to Half Marathons and Triathalons in which I competed for a number of years.  But…

2009 Reggae MarathonAfter a series of personal events, I decided that I had to get the ‘unfinished marathon’ monkey off my back and what better place to do it than in Jamaica at Reggae Marathon:  Warm weather, great beach, excellent run event!  I used each and every one of the 26 Aid Stations:  I listened for the Reggae Music playing at each one and loved the convenience of the Water and Hydration Fluid plastic pouches.  I squeezed more than one water pouch over my head that day.  And the spectators…Wow!  I got encouragement to keep going along the entire route.  At one point I thought the crowd was cheering only for me!  I’ve run in other events but Reggae Marathon spectators are tops!!

My first Reggae Marathon event was the Full Marathon and although I was slow and exhausted, I crossed the Finish Line at Long Bay Beach Park with a huge smile and tears streaming down my face.

Since then I’ve fun the Half Marathon twice and the 10K 3 times…even walking the 10K in a walking cast when I broke a few foot bones a month before Reggae Marathon one year.  I love spending the year communicating with my running friends from all over the world as we all look forward to meeting up in Negril in December.

My first Reggae Marathon may have been my last full Marathon…it was the start of a beautiful relationship with Reggae Marathon.

Until next time…

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

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