Press Release - Reggae Marathon - 12/12/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       JAMAICANS SWEEP 2008 REGGAE MARATHON EVENT IN NEGRIL
 
NEGRIL, Jamaica … December 2008 -- Veteran long distance runner Linton 
McKenzie and Arieta Martin ran away with the top spots in last Saturday's 
Reggae Marathon event in Negril.

From a field of 754 entrants representing 18 countries, McKenzie was first 
past the tape in 2:40:08 while Martin led the female finishers in 3:28:16. 
Second place winners, Andrew Gutzmore and Carlene Blagrove, also seasoned 
local marathoners, clocked times of 2:45:23 and 3:30:28 respectively. All 
four front runners are regular participants in the Burger King Jamdammers 
Grand Prix series of races which lead to the annual Reggae Marathon Event.
 
Other winners were Kirk Brown who took the Half Marathon in 1:10:42 and 
Terri Rejimbal of Tampa, Florida who led the females in 1:23:18. Kemoy 
Campbell with a time of 30:35 and Natoya Goule (36:41) came out ahead in 
the highly competitive 10K.
 
Commenting on the 10K which was introduced for the first time this year, 
race director Alfred Francis said "the race was highly competitive and 
fielded the targeted 250 participants. The added incentive of the computers 
donated by our valued sponsor Pan Caribbean for the teams with the top 
three scores in the high school championship also generated a lot of 
excitement." Manchester High emerged winners followed by Holmwood Technical 
and Edwin Allen High Schools.

Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) again dominated in the corporate team 
category, taking home the Heart Foundation of Jamaica /Reggae Marathon 
corporate team award.

Other highlights of the event included the presentation of Reggae Marathon 
Lifetime Awards to octogenarians and longtime rivals Burt Carlson (83) of 
the USA and Jamaica's Roy Thomas (82) who finished with times of 7:33:34 
and 6:02:31 respectively. Carlson, a five time Reggae Marathon participant 
who was also competing in his 301st marathon noted, "I always enjoy this 
race. Roy gives me enough competition and has beaten me a few times. I look 
forward to our usual challenge next year!"

The Japanese eco marathoner Hajime Nisihi who not only participated but 
covered the event, also spoke of his challenges in getting to Jamaica. 
Hajime who was among the thousands of tourists 
stranded at the Bangkok airport during the recent occupation was so 
determined to get to Negril, that he travelled for 36 hours though the 
jungle, via Singapore, in order to make his originally scheduled flights 
form Tokyo to Montego Bay. He arrived in time for Reggae Marathon and 
completed the event despite his ordeal.

Once again participants and guests were able to enjoy the highly acclaimed 
World's Best Pasta Party as they consumed a variety of gourmet pasta dishes 
at the Swept Away sports complex while rocking to the rhythm of the 
Silverbird Steel band.
 
International stars Third World did not disappoint as they closed the 
weekend's activities with a memorable performance at the MX3 "Finish line" 
party, One Love Drive on the West End on Saturday night.  (For more 
information: www.reggaemarathon.com).


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