NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Rupert Green chalked up his fourth straight Reggae Marathon title in two hours, 25 minutes and six seconds to take the 26.2-mile race here yesterday. Colin Graham was second in 3:01.28, with Brian Baker third in 3:10.56.

First-timer Mahamud Isidro Pilar of Spain topped the female category in 3:09.18, ahead of Arieta Martin (3:26.18) and Karlene Blagrove (3:36.28).

The 12th renewal of the event began at 5:15 am with the biggest field ever of 1,445 athletes from thirty six countries in three categories — 10K, half-marathon and marathon.

Shawn Pitter took the 10K race in 29 minutes, 56 seconds, ahead of Kirk Brown (31:54) and Damion Bent )(32:32), while Tanice Barnett continued her good form by winning her category in 37:23 ahead of St Jago's Chavaugh McDonald (37:52) and Monique McPherson (38:57), respectively.

Gregory McKenzie won the half-marathon in one hour, 11 minutes, ahead of Kevin Campbell (1:16.30) and Kemar Leslie (1:18.13). Maria Florencia Morales from Argentina captured the female section in 1:22.09, with Mardrea Hyman second in 1:25.18 and Sara Ivory of the UK third in 1:27.52.

Pitter said he was always confident of winning the race.

"It was good. I saved back a little... for next week's race... in Barbados... as I'm the defending champion and have to defend my title there. The course was pretty good and fast. I'm pleased with the time as it was pretty good."

Barnett thought she could have run much faster.

"The race was not difficult for me; it was manageable, but... I really couldn't see where I was going, so that's my biggest problem right now. I know I could have run much faster...," she said.

Race organiser Alfred Francis was pleased with the outcome of the event.

"This is the smoothest to date and an excellent execution... we have been practising for 11 years for this. I give thanks to all the stakeholders for their participation and the participants from the t36 countries... this year for making it a notable event...," he said.