Negril, Westmoreland — Two runners retained their titles at the 16th staging of the Reggae Marathon along the Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril, while the others were first-time winners on Saturday.

Over 2,300 runners took part in the event from 38 countries.

The race got off to its usually prompt start at 5:15 am by race director Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis in the three categories 10K (6.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and the 26.2 mile-marathon as runners and walkers started in the dark to the beat of reggae music along the route.

The 10k was won by defending champion Dwayne Graham in 32.32 minutes followed by Garfield Gordon in 32.52 minutes, with third going to Andre Walker in 34.16 minutes. The top female was Britnie Dixon of Vere Technical in 41.30 minutes, ahead of teammate Kris-Ann Plummer in 41.34 minutes, and Shantay Chamberlin third in 42.06 minutes.

Graham was happy for the victory. “It was a great run from start to finish as I have trained for this and planned for it and decided that I am not going to lose it.”

Dixon, who was second last year, moved up one place. “It was ok and challenging in parts. I put in a little extra in training this week and Kris-Ann Plummer, my teammate, was right beside me. I got the extra push needed to finish the event winning. This is my third year, the first year I was third, last year second and this year first. I’m feeling very great and proud of myself and my teammates.”

Vere Technical won the high schools girls’ category.

Kirk Brown successfully retained the half marathon in one hour 12 minutes and 58 seconds ahead of Gregory McKenzie in one hour 13 minutes and 28 seconds, with third going to Kemar Leslie in 1 hour 20 minutes and 12 seconds.

Brown was happy for the win as he sees it as preparing him for the National Cross Country event. “It is a very nice route, the weather was good and the competitors… towards the end I had a cramp and I had to stop and vomit a little bit about the 11th mile and I overcame that. This is preparing me for the cross country and the High Mountain races.”

The Brazilian Adelita Gomes won the women’s section in one hour 29 minutes and three seconds ahead Americans Stephanie Zammit in one hour 39 minutes and three seconds, and Yuki Chorney in one hour 53 minutes and 56 seconds in third place.

Gomes, who was in Jamaica for the first time, was elated. “The course and the time of the race starting at 5:15 in the morning was the first time for me. It was really good and the organisation with water all over the course was excellent. Every race is a challenge as you don’t know what to expect from the body, as I felt a pain but I went through and carried on and it was ok. I wish I will be back next year if I can afford to as this is my first time in Jamaica,” she reiterated.

The marathon was won by the Japanese marathon champion Kota Taniguchi from Tottori – a town that has a twinning relationship with Westmoreland – who came through the exchange programme. He won in two hours 38 minutes and 49 seconds ahead of Rupert Green in two hours 43 minutes and 49 seconds and Brian Polen in two hours and 58 minutes.

The women’s section was won in three hours 39 minutes and 15 seconds by Canadian Karen Warrendorf, ahead of China’s Ting Yu in three hours 48 minutes and 19 seconds, with third going to Chinese champion and record holder Sun Yingjie in three hours 52 minutes and one second.

Taniguchi, speaking through an interpreter, said: “Coming to Jamaica I am really happy to be competing in the Reggae Marathon and to win this Reggae Marathon is very special to me. It is a very beautiful place with the mountains and trees. I’m here through the friendship agreement with Jamaica and I’m just happy to be here.

“It was extremely hot… I am a fireman… it was hot and difficult running through the course and the competitors were competitive and with the reggae music along the course I was happy. It is important that I won as this is the very first exchange programme between us and I was able to win for the very first time and I feel extremely proud. This course is extremely hot and very difficult, as we have more hills and it is very cool and the Jamaican runners will enjoy running in the Tottori Marathon,” Taniguchi said.

Warrendorf said: “It was really hot as I am from Vancouver and I just wanted to come and finish, and I did that coming out on top. I was motivated as I heard about the trophy (Rita Marley), the course and the people are very nice. I missed my water and one man took it to me and started running beside me. They are really nice people. The course is good and I like the bend, it was pretty good and I had no problems with it. It is the first time here in Jamaica.”

Race director Francis was pleased with the event. “The concept of the Reggae Marathon is for sports tourism and running is the business that we do and reaching 16 is a milestone. The variety of countries keep expanding and we make sure that they have fun so that when they go away they speak good of Jamaica, as we have a number of returning runners. This year I think we are very successful and it is a sweet 16 and sweet event.

“We have the Chinese record holder and Japanese champion who won the event. The fun experience is really good and this is a slow period in tourism in Jamaica and most of the rooms here are full. We have contributed significantly to the economy of Negril and Jamaica at large,” beamed Francis.

— Everard Owen