December in Jamaica is quite festive. If you enjoy sporting events, you should check out Jamaica’s premier international marathon, the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K. The event, now in its 22^nd year, is scheduled for 3-4 December 2022.

What should you know about the registration process?

Interested persons must register online via the Reggae Marathon website or onsite in Negril on 2-3 December. The deadline for online registration is 1 December. Participants must pay an entry fee for each event. The entry fee per person for the marathon is US$130, and US$125 for the half marathon. It costs US$95 to enter the 10K. Persons paying to register onsite 2-3 December will pay US$150 for the marathon, USD140 for the half marathon, and US$110 for the 10K event. Please note that name changes are not allowed, and the entry fees are not transferable or refundable. The minimum age for participants in the marathon is 18 years old, 14 years old for the half marathon, and 10 years old for those who wish to do the 10K.

Where can participants collect their packets?

Participants who plan to register onsite can do so and collect packets at Couples Swept Away Sports Complex from 1pm to 5pm on 2 December. Registration continues  3 December from 1pm to 4pm at Couples Swept Away Sports Complex, with packet collection from 5pm to 8pm. Packet collection and registration are not available on race morning.

Which route will the events take?

The events (marathon, half marathon, and 10K) start at 5:15am outside Long Bay Beach Park on Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril. Participants will follow the course, which loops into the town of Negril, head north to Bloody Bay, and return to the finish at Long Bay Beach Park. The course is an IAAF-certified marathon, half marathon & 10K course.

What should participants expect?

The Reggae Marathon will feature closed lanes for runners. The course will remain open for six hours, and marathoners must reach the halfway mark in three hours. Experienced marathoners and volunteers will operate aid stations every mile (25). Medical stations and fully equipped ambulances with a multidisciplinary medical team will be in position along the course. Cooling stations with misters and iced towel wraps will also be available. The event will live up to its name, allowing participants to enjoy the soothing sounds of inspirational Reggae music each mile.

Are there any prizes?

The event focuses on runner enjoyment, so there are several goodies for participants. Some goodies include an official Reggae Marathon t-shirt, free entry to the ‘World’s Best Pasta Party (3 December), finisher certificates, free entry to the Victory Beach & Awards Party, a commemorative finisher medal, and over US$10,000 in total prize money. The male and female winners of the Reggae Marathon receive the Bob Marley and Rita Marley trophies, and there are special prize categories for High School Boys & Girls in the 10K and Teams in the 10K and Half Marathon.

Sponsors for the 2022 Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K include Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston, Jamaica Tourist Board, PUMA Running, Couples Resorts Jamaica JHTA – Negril Chapter, and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). To stay abreast of updates related to the event, visit their Facebook, Instagram (@reggaemarathon), or website.

Sources: Reggae Marathon, Visit Jamaica, and World’s Marathons.