Jamaica's Green, USA's Goebel the champions

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Jamaica's Rupert Green and Jennifer Goebel of the United States emerged the toast of yesterday's 11th annual Jamdammers Running Club Reggae Marathon in Negril, when they ran away with the male and female titles.

Green, who was winning for the third consecutive year, covered the new IAAF-certified course in 2:32.00, while Goebel, who was competing in Jamaica for the first time, won in 3:07.59.

"I did not have a lot of competition so I basically had to push myself all the way," said Green, who finished ahead of fellow Jamaican Colin Graham (3:08.34) and Frenchman Herv Bacon (3:12.07).

In summing up her performance, the delighted Goebel, who beat Jamaica's Karlene Blagrove (3:36.47) and fellow American Soile Peltonieme-Noskanen (3:51.36) into second and third places, respectively, said she had a ball.

"I had a lot of run ... it was most relaxing and I really enjoyed myself," said Goebel. "This is my first time in Jamaica and I most definitely will be back."

In the secondary events, the Half Marathon and the 10K proved quite exciting, with local athletes being the dominant performers.

Determined

In the Half Marathon, Jamaican Kirk Brown ran away with the event in 1:12.19, beating American Bryan Huberty (1:16.54) and fellow Jamaican Ronique Williams (1:17.09) into second and third places, respectively.

"I came into the event as the defending champion and I was determined not to let go of the title," said the 24-year-old Brown. "The course was not as hard as in previous years, as it is now nice and flat."

Christina Dotson of Bermuda took home the female Half Marathon crown, as in a pretty controlled run, she did 1:40.31 to beat back the challenge of Jamaica's Sarah Gress and Diana Spied, who clocked 1:43.43 and 1:47.21, respectively.

"It was absolute fun out there," said the 30-year-old Dotson, who looked quite smooth as she crossed the finish line. "If I was asked to do it over right away I would ... it is a fantastic course and I really enjoyed it."

In the 10K, which was dominated by student-athletes, the gutsy Oraine Wint of Bellefield High School took the male title in 32.20. He was followed home by G.C. Foster's André Headley (33:02) and Nembhard Palmer of Bellefield High School.

"I did the Half Marathon last year and came third, and I was determined to do better at the shorter distance this year," said Wint. "I am pleased with my performance."

In the female 10K, Carrie Tolleflson of the United States won quite comfortably in 36.17, ahead of Jamaica's Jhevere Hall and Molly-Ann Blake. Hall did 40.48 and Blake clocked 41.01.

"It was another great Reggae Marathon and we are happy with the way things went," said meet director Alfred Francis. "The event attracted 1,300 participants from 28 countries, so it is clear that it creating quite a significant economic impact on Negril."