Back to Reggae Marathon Information & Reviews
Joe Allen from Toronto, Canada
(12/15/2006)
"Like they say" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Reggae Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What a great race! Best ever pasta party; really a unique experience with high-end dishes, plenty of variety, no lines, music and elaborate decorations. Very special treatment for all the runners. The race was very well organized, and water stations well stocked and well staffed. Enthusiasm maintained by all volunteers until the last runner finished. A "must do" race with a finish line stocked with coconuts, beer and an ocean to dive into on one of the best beaches in the world. Stay for a few days and recover in Negril's laidback vibe, ja'mon! One love. | |
Lillian Demoski from Alaska
(12/13/2006)
"Fantastic - Ya Mon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Reggae Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second year participating with Team Diabetes Alaska. The race is the best I've ever done, and although the heat got to me in walking the last few miles of the half-marathon, "quit" certainly wasn't in my vocabulary. Great pasta party, pre-race, and good support all along the course - just everything for all runners/walkers. Spread the word - this one is worth the trip. These guys actually care about the runners and don't hesitate to work with and for you! Thanks again. | |
J. M. from USA
(12/10/2006)
"Fun race, terrible organization" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Reggae Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 We love Negril and have been there several times, so were excited to participate in this event after reading all the positive comments. I don't know if this year was just different or just our experience, but the pre- and post-race organization was pitiful. My husband received a shirt much smaller than he registered for (or could ever wear) because the shirts ran small and they gave our whatever size people wanted instead of what they had registered for. The expo was nothing like they advertised. There was one local merchant and no Reggae Marathon merchandise for sale when we were there. The race itself is well organized and the course is great. The awards organization was terrible. Due to other plans, we could not stay for the entire ceremony (we did stay for over an hour from the time the awards ceremony began!) and I ended up leaving without my award in spite of the fact I had already been recognized. They handed me a blank envelope when they shook my hand and said I had to stick around to get my actual award. I couldn't stay and they would not give me my award at that time (I have no idea why not), so asked if they could leave it at my hotel, which they promised they would, but they didn't. We really enjoyed the race itself, but were terribly disappointed in the rest of the event. | |
KENWYNNE BARBER from KENT, ENGLAND
(12/9/2006)
"WONDERFUL" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Reggae Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my second visit to Jamaica (from England) to do the Reggae Marathon. The course is alongside the beach and is flat, with reggae music and water stations at each mile. Everyone involved in this event is helpful and joyful all the time, which makes a big difference, if, like me, you're a very slow runner. This race is 100% in every way. I hope to return again to join the many people I met from last year, making it feel like "friends reunited." Thank you to everyone who makes this race "great." -Kenwynne Barber | |
A. K. from Secaucus NJ
(12/6/2006)
"Yeah, mon!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Nearly perfectly organized race! Seemed like all of Negril was aware of the event - everyone wished good luck. Flat and scenic, with small rolling hills, easy on-the-spot registration, and a great pasta party, although for some reason, they didn't provide any water at the party - had to buy my own. Water stops with water and Gatorade in clear plastic pouches instead of cups - what a brilliant idea!!! Would do it again in a flash. | |
Judy Hanley from Birmingham, England
(2/13/2006)
"Fantastic for a first-time marathoner!" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Reggae Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon has all the right ingredients - brilliant organization (the pre-event pasta party is awesome), refreshment stops every mile, a scenic flat course and enthusiastic volunteers and co-runners. My overwhelming memory is of the last four miles - I was flagging in the heat and a volunteer with a mobile sound system followed me all the way to the line with his music blaring to motivate me. Didn't need my iPod once!! Had a ball! A dive into the sea at the finish line rounded off my perfect first marathon. Brilliant! Hi to the runners from Bedford! I made it round!!! | |
Cliff Smith from Bedford, England
(12/23/2005)
"Simply the Best" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Reggae Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My friend and I have nothing but praise for this great event. A beautiful course, great people, well organized and music all the way. A little 'marathon' that deserves to be a lot bigger. If you want to run a marathon in paradise, where the local people support you all the way, where vibrant music is all about you, where the start is superb and the water stations are brilliant, the best way of giving water I have ever come across GO AND DO THIS RACE. You will not be disappointed. Although it is a long way from where I live, this is top of my do-it-again race list. Thanks to all concerned in Jamaica, especially you Jamdammers for giving us the chance to race in your beautiful country. 'One love.' - Cliff Smith and Andrea Ranson, friends from England. | |
Kelly Jeglum from USA - Milwaukee Wisconsin
(12/16/2005)
"1st marathon - wonderful event!" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My list of the highlights: Well organized; you're well taken care of, especially for beginners. Everyone is genuine, kind, and helpful. No big attitudes to contend with anywhere. Elite runners cheesing it up for pics with the rest of the crowd prior to the start. Bags of water, GatorAde, and ice at every mile - great idea. (Need to stay hydrated - especially if you're on the course for more than 4 hours - and I was DEFINITELY on the course for more than that: 6:16:12.) Lots of port-a-potties along the way - enough said. Start in the early morning is a LOT of fun by torchlight. Sunrise over the mountains/hills is spectacular. Views of the shoreline are amazing. Talking to locals along the route is a joy. A simple "Good morning!" is always followed with a reply and a beautiful smile. Younger locals might even jog along for 50 yards or so. Course and event is friendly to walkers as well. (I did a fair share of walking in the heat of the day.) Running in paradise. Recovering in the sun on the beach at Riu Tropical Bay. Highly recommend it. Would LOVE to do it again. (Now fighting WI winters.... ;-)) | |
Victoria Bentley from USA
(12/13/2005)
"UNIQUE AND WELL ORGANIZED" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Reggae Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race in 2002 and it's growing fast through word of mouth. The Jamaican people know how to do it right!! Plenty of water, sports drink and NO SUN FOR TWO HOURS into the race!! NICE AND EARLY start. PERFECT. The spectators (although there are few) are up early cheering us on. Will I be back? YOU BET. I'll make it Jamaica again and again! God bless each and every one of you who put time and noticable effort into making this race one of THE BEST marathons I have ever partcipated in. And I've run PLENTY!! | |
s. R. from USA
(12/7/2005)
"very well organized and friendly marathon" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Reggae Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Despite the limited resources, this marathon is very well organized, and in fact it is better than the Iceland Marathon. The course is flat. The only problem is sun, but again it is Negril. I would run it again in the near future. |
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