Hotels in the resort areas of the island are gearing up to compete for the Chairman’s Trophy in this year’s Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, set for Sunday, December 2.
The trophy was introduced last year in honour of Ewart Barclay, the late Chairman of the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K. The inaugural trophy was awarded to Negril’s Rock House Hotel on the Negril’s West End, which had the winning hotel team in the 10K.
“The trophy is again up for grabs this year among Jamaican hotel teams and word is that those from Negril, as well as Montego Bay and other resort areas are training hard to win it,” said Alfred ‘Frano’. Francis, race director.
In addition, Mr. Francis noted that the IAAF certification of the race course for the Reggae Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10K along the Negril main road remains in effect for another three years and can to be used by runners wanting to qualify for the Olympics and World Championships, or to enter marathons such as the prestigious annual Boston Marathon, or London Marathon events, which require a qualifying time.
The reminder was given by Mr. Francis which has been ramping up the promotion of the races locally and overseas.
He said the prize purse remains at approximately J$1 million. In addition there will be a special prize purse, which was instituted in 2015, but has never been utilised, for Jamaicans who break any of the three race records. The Jamdammers Running Club will double the prize of any Jamaican breaking any of the established records held to date, as follows:
Reggae Marathon
- Male record holder – Pamenos Ballentyne, St. Vincent, 2001 – 2:21:05
- Female record holder – Ramilia Burangulova, Russia, 2001 – 2:42:25
Reggae Half-Marathon
- Male record holder – Moses Macharia, Kenya, 2001 – 1:08:32
- Female record holder – Jackline Toror, Kenya, 2001 – 1:16:12
Reggae 10K
- Male record holder: Shawn Pitter, Jamaica, 2012 – 29:55
- Female record holder: Carrie Tollefson, USA, 2011 – 36:17
So far only one Jamaican, Shawn Pitter, has set a record in any of the three races and his was in the 10K event.
