Dear Editor,

We note the feedback from a concerned onlooker at the recent Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K event held in Negril as published in a letter to the editor entitled ‘Good job, but no consideration for impact on non-participants’, published in the Jamaica Observer on December 12, 2022.

We, therefore, feel compelled to advise that prior to the race day on December 4 meetings were held with the Negril organising team and a detailed three-page road closure advisory was sent during the week in advance of the event to all stakeholders, including businesses and hotels in the area. The document included a schedule of designated shuttle times and locations. However, it now appears that the information was not shared with all affected workers travelling to and from Negril on race day.

The Reggae Marathon race route is a double loop on Norman Manley Boulevard, from the Negril roundabout to Salt Creek Bridge located just beyond the Club Riu/Long Bay Country Club. On each annual race day the road from the Negril roundabout to Salt Creek Bridge is closed between 4:00 am and 11:15 am. However, systems are put in place to ensure runner safety and scheduled shuttle bus movement along the road.

Our aim as event organisers is not to cause any undue dislocation of the economic activities in Negril but provide an opportunity for the community to benefit from the staging of the event.

It is, therefore, our hope that going forward more members of the Negril community will join us in working together to ensure a smooth execution of the event, with the least inconvenience to all concerned.

Alfred “Frano” Francis

Race director

racedirector@reggaemarathon.com