In 2004, my 50th birthday fell on a Saturday. This made the idea of running a marathon on my birthday a distinct possibility. As I looked around to see where marathons were to be held on the big day (i.e. one of those birthdays that end with a zero), one race stood out, Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon. Before I knew anything else about it, I knew that it possessed an attribute that was singular and compelling.
Whatever else turned out to be true about the race or the course, this much was certain: When you were done running, you’d be in Negril, one of my favorite places on the planet. My wife and I have vacationed there multiple times and I was quite clear that, if there was anyplace at all that might take a bit of the sting out of turning 50, it was Negril. Apart from its resort area (which features some of the best all-inclusives in the Caribbean), Negril is a laid-back enclave that’s distinctly hippie in flavor and much less touristy than other areas of Jamaica. And a little bit of research made it clear that the Reggae Marathon was an exceptional event.
Alas, it was not to be; a spate of injuries kept me from running that year. But as a result of my interest in the race, Diane Ellis (the Reggae Marathon’s Sponsorship and Marketing Director) and I became regular correspondents on a wide range of subjects ranging from our kids (we’ve both got sons about the same age) to running (of course). And if you’re looking for a first class running event that’s just a blast, the Reggae Marathon is one you ought to consider.
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This guest post is from George Colombo, a dedicated runner. He has an affinity for barefoot running…something that intrigues the heck out of me. He publishes a blog on natural running: http://naturalstridesports.blogspot.com/
Until next time…