New-look Reggae Marathon on today - Bob, Rita trophies at stake

Western Bureau:With a new IAAF-certified course, the 11th annual Jamdammers Running Club Reggae Marathon, which is slated to unfold in a blaze of glory in the resort town of Negril this morning, with the defending male and female champions, Jamaica's Rupert Green and French-Jamaican woman Elizabeth Mondon, expected to be among the starters.

"The new marathon course will now be looped instead of the 'out and back' route we had in former years," said Barclay Ewart, chairman of Reggae Marathon. "Instead of heading into Green Island, as is customary, participants will be doing the existing half marathon course twice."

With the new course expected to add a new spark to the event, the male and female records, which are currently being held by Pamenos Ballentyne of St Vincent and Ramilia Burangulova of Russia, could both come under threat. Ballentyne's record of 2:21:05 was established in 2001, the same year Burangulova female record of 2:42:25 was set.

As is customary, the marathon, which has attracted participants from all over the world, will be run off alongside the half marathon and 10K, which are also becoming increasingly popular, especially among local high school students.

In addition to the overseas athletes, who regularly add an international flavour to the marathon, the event has also attracted significant global media attention.

"So far, we can confirm that Puma Japan will be sending a magazine crew of about 10 persons to provide coverage," said race director Alfred Francis. "The Running Girlz, a repeat group out of Canada; the Easy Skankin Fitness Buffs out of New York, as well as several groups from Germany, Holland and Japan are also on board for the marathon."

In addition to the Bob Marley and Rita Marley trophies, which will go to the male and female marathon champions, they will also pocket a hefty slice of the $1,000,000 prize package. The male champion will take home $75,000 and the female $50,000.

categories

In addition to the champions, the other top three finishers in the male and female sections, as well as the other winners in categories such as the Masters (35 and over), Half Marathon, 10K and the 10K for high school boys and girls and corporate and clubs, will be in for trophies and cash prizes.

In last year's event, Green ran 2:30.27 to take the male title ahead of Gregory McKenzie (2:39.31), Corey Levin (2:42.26), Linton McKenzie (2:45.22), and Anthony Jackson (2:51.44). In the women's section, Mondon won in 2:55.50. She was followed home by Terri Refjimbal (3:09.17), Outi Ben Ammar (3:37.37), Eva Hood (3.39.54), and Karlene Bladgrove (3:42.34).

- A.F.