Hundreds expected to run along Negril's famed 7-mile beach to the pulsating sound of Reggae music
The world-renowned seven-mile stretch of beach in Negril, Jamaica will once again take center stage among the international running community at the third annual Reggae Marathon to be held from December 4th to December 6th 2003.

Sponsored by Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston, Air Jamaica, and the Jamaica Tourist Board, the certified IAAF and AIMS course, which meets international standards, will begin at Long Bay Beach Park and loop into the town of Negril before continuing north toward Green Island. The race will start at 5:15 am on December 6 and the course will be kept open for seven hours.

Running to the undulating beat of reggae music, athletes will have access to water/aid stations each mile and cooling and medical stations along the course. More than $10,000 in total prize money will be awarded and a special category has been created for high school boys and girls in the Half Marathon.

The entry fee is between US$85.00 and US$95.00 and will include a three-day pass to the expo at the Swept Away Sporting Complex featuring the best of Jamaican art, craft, music, and Reggae Marathon memorabilia, entrance to a pizza party, victory party, and awards ceremony.

"The Jamaica Tourist Board is delighted to once again welcome participants and spectators to this spectacular event. Jamaica, internationally renowned for its music, salubrious climate, spectacular landscape, diverse tourist product, and warm and welcoming people make it the perfect place to hold the Reggae Marathon," said Paul Pennicook, Director of Tourism. "We are looking forward to yet another successful year with this event."

For more information on The Reggae Marathon, please visit the race Web site or visit the Jamaica Tourist Board Web site.