The local Reggae Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10K annual event has received the nod from more than 24,000 readers of the UK-based Women’s Running and Men’s Running magazines.

They have decided that Reggae Marathon is this year’s Men’s Running International Race of the Year and a ‘Highly Commended’ event in the Women’s Running International Race of the Year category.

Votes were invited by the combined Women’s Running and Men’s Running magazines’ Reader Vote Awards 2017, which covered the best products and best brands in the sport.

Among the categories which were up for awards this year are: Brand of the Year; Race of the Year; Charity of the Year; Show of the Year; Retailer of the Year; Influencer of the Year; Running Club of the Year; and International Race of the Year.

“We were advised ahead of the official announcements which are to be made on October 26 across all social platforms of the publications. In addition, there will be a feature on the event in the Men’s Running and Women’s Running print magazines to be out in December,” said Diane Ellis, sponsorship director of Reggae Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10K.

In response to the awards, Alfred “Frano” Francis, race director of Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, said he was elated about the news.

“Jamaica continues to be a beacon to the world in all areas of sport, and our annual marathon event has now joined that space. To be selected by thousands of sports fans in this manner is an honour and privilege for a 16-year event. We are grateful to all our fans,” said Francis.

Already thousands of participants from across the world have registered for the 2017 Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K event set for Saturday, December 2, in Negril.

“We are very thankful that this race, which was only a dream 16 years ago, has gained so much international recognition that the world’s highly respected sports journals have included us in their various promotional features. We look forward to growing from strength to strength,” said Francis.