The nearly 1,000 overseas participants expected for this year’s in-person staging of the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K in Negril will contribute to the post-COVID-19 boom in tourism, which is predicted to reach 3.7 million visitors by April 2023.

Six hundred locals are also expected to participate.

The 22nd staging of the internationally acclaimed in-person walk/run, which returns after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, is to be held from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4.

The World Athletics certified course will run from Long Beach Park, then loop into the town of Negril, head north to Bloody Bay, and return to the finish line at Long Bay Beach Park.

With bookings already confirmed for major hotels in Negril, the largest group expected will be the over-400-member Reggae Runners charity group out of the USA, which will be returning for its 10th year of participation in the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K.

“Each year members of the charity group make hotel reservations for the following staging before leaving the island, which shows the level of excitement, anticipation, and respect they give to our event,” Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Race Director Alfred Francis said. “Also, this group has been of tremendous help to the Green Island Secondary School and other local charities in Negril by donating slightly worn athletic shoes and cash to help students participate in the annual event. And this year will be no exception.”

Also expected to join the marathoners and half marathoners this year are teams from corporate Jamaica as well as individuals.

“This is a positive sign for us that more Jamaicans are embracing long distance running in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle through running,” Francis said.

Another highlight of the event will be the participation of European marathoner Albert Meijir, who will run in Negril as part of his dream to attend his 50th event in the 50th country.

“His presence in Negril will also bring a lot of attention to our annual event, through extensive

media coverage in Europe,” Francis said.

Francis says a group from Costa Rica has already signed up to run virtually; however, Cesar Lizano, a Costa Rican, will fly to Jamaica to participate in the in-person event. He has represented his country in the London Olympics and won the Miami Half Marathon this year. He also placed third in the San Jose Marathon.

Registration and packet collection will begin on Friday, December 2 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Couples Swept Away Sports Complex in Negril. That exercise will continue the following day at the same venue. However, on the evening of Saturday, December 3, registered participants will be invited to attend the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s World Best Pasta Party at the Couples Swept Away Sports Complex from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Sunday, December 4 will be race day, beginning at 5:15 am, which will be followed by a Victory Beach Party, featuring fast-rising artiste Ras I as well as the awards ceremony from 7:oo am to noon.

There will be $1 million in cash and prizes; commemorative finisher medals and certificates; and Bob Marley and Rita Marley trophies, sculpted by Basil Watson, to be presented to the male and female winners of the Reggae Marathon.