As of this year, the annual run and walk event, known as Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, will no longer offer a marathon segment.

In making the announcement Saturday, race director Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis said it had become necessary to restructure the event as “we have been constantly challenged to provide the same level of runner care to our marathoners as those participating in the half marathon and 10K events. “

Francis said the change had been on the table for some time but the board of directors of the world-renowned sporting event took the decision to eliminate the marathon during the 2023 staging. However, the half marathon and 10K will remain as part of the brand’s offerings.

“Of course, we are disappointed that we have had to discontinue the marathon segment of the popular run/walk, but we have come to the realization that the challenges are greater than our ability to provide the best experience for our marathoners. With this change, we can now focus comfortably on providing the best experience for the participants in our Half Marathon & 10k events, as well as to our supporters and partners", Mr. Francis said.

The annual Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon &10K was launched in 2000 and is organized by the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston

Over the past 23 years, the event has had runners from over 35 countries participating, with the inclusion of virtual races in the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. The brand’s reach also expanded exponentially across the world with the use of the various digital platforms.

The 23rd staging of the event takes place in Negril on Sunday, December 3, 2023 with the usual 5:15 a.m. start time.

Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K, set for December 5, will go virtual again this year, the organizers of the annual event – the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston - have announced.

In 2020, the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K went virtual for the first time and the organizers were very pleased with the level of participation with runners from 30 countries, including Jamaica, being represented virtually.

However, with the pandemic continuing to pose challenges they have decided to go a similar route this year.

“We understand that the runners and walkers from Jamaica and about 30 countries across the globe will be disappointed that they will not be able to participate personally in the races. We have sought to find a solution that is in the best interest of all concerned,” said Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, race director.

As part of the virtual staging, participants in the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K event will be required to complete their run between November 13 and December 5, 2021, on a course of their choice, Mr Francis noted.   However, he noted that local and international runners will also have the choice of running along the Reggae Marathon course in Negril.

The Reggae Marathon organizers are encouraging this year's participants in the virtual event to recreate a spirit of celebration as if they were in Negril, wherever they run and share their experiences via the event's social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram.

Runners and walkers who had previously registered for the in-person event from 2020 through to 2021 will have their places secured for the in-person race set for December 4, 2022.