As of this year, the annual run and walk event, known as Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, will no longer offer a marathon segment.

In making the announcement recently, race director Alfred “Frano” Francis said it had become necessary to restructure the event as “we have been constantly challenged to provide the same level of runner care to our marathoners as those participating in the half-marathon & 10K event”.

He said the change had been on the table for some time, but the board of directors of the world-renowned sporting event took the decision to eliminate the marathon during the 2023 staging. However, the half-marathon and 10K will remain as part of the brand’s offerings.

“Of course, we are disappointed that we have had to discontinue the marathon segment of the popular run/walk, but we have come to the realisation that the challenges are greater than our ability to provide the best experience for our marathoners. With this change, we can now focus comfortably on providing the best experience for the participants in our half-marathon & 10k events, as well as to our supporters and partners,” said Francis.

The annual Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K was launched in 2000 and is organised by the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston

Over the past 23 years, the event has had runners from over 35 countries participating, with the inclusion of virtual races during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The brand’s reach also expanded exponentially across the world with the use of the various digital platforms.

The 23rd staging of the event takes place in Negril on Sunday, December 3, 2023, with the usual 5:15 am start time.