Negril, Westmoreland - Four new champions were crowned at the 7th staging of the Reggae Marathon at Long Bay Beach here yesterday, with defending champions Euleen Josiah-Tanner and Andrew Gutzmore placing second and third, respectively, in the marathon.

Rik Ceulemans of Limburg, Belgium, who was holidaying, won the 26-mile marathon in 2 hours 31 minutes 43 seconds ahead of Rupert Green (2: 37.22) and defending champion Andrew Gutzmore (2:41.32).

NEGRIL, Westmoreland - Half-marathon winner Tanice Barnett (right) embraces second-placed finisher Natoya Goule in Negril yesterday. Barnett won in 1:28.48. (Photo: Everard Owen)

Jeanette Seckinger of Oregan, USA, topped the field in 3 hours and 57 seconds ahead of defending champion Euleen Joshiah-Tanner of Guyana 3:08.37 and Terri Rejimbal of Florida 3: 24.21 in the female category.

The 13-mile half-marathon was won by Bellfield's Kemoy Campbell, who has dominated the local road race season and is a double Boys Champs winner over 1500m and 5000m.

Campbell won in 1:19.26 ahead of Kirk Brown (1:19.54) Gregory McKenzie (1:11.33), who was 10 seconds ahead of uncle and veteran racer Linton McKenzie (1:11.44).
Tanice Barnett (1:28.48) nipped Natoya Goule for the female equivalent. Barnett had a ding-dong battle with Goule (1:28.52) and Amoya Bailey (1:31.13).

Marathon champion, 30-year-old Ceulemans, who was running his fourth marathon, said "We were here on holidays and saw the signs say Reggae Marathon and we went to the organisers yesterday and registered and here I am, a champion.

"I run marathons in my country and my best time is 2:13.41, so I'm used to running marathons. I'm a former national champion. It's a hot course, but I really love it, the music, noise on the side and the water is fantastic. I really love it here. It's small and it can become a big one."

Gutzmore was gracious in defeat, saying "the pace was a good one and he (Ceulemans) was faster than me."

According to Seckinger, "It has been a great race. I had great reviews on the people and the course and I really enjoyed it and I will love to come back and do another one."

The marathon winners will receive $75,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively, while the half-marathon champs will get $37,500, $25,000 and $12,500 respectively and the Bob Marley trophy.

The marathon attracted runners from Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, USA and Jamaica, with some 792 runners participating.

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