Coming together at Reggae Marathon

There's a coming together at Reggae Marathon 2023 that promises a spectacular ending to one hell of a year!  It's been along time coming.

The story begins in 2008 when I ran my first and only marathon at Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica.  I did it with Sally's full support.  

It was a fund raiser as well.  Together, Sally and I raised over $5,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, the charity we picked to honor my Dad who passed away in 2007.  A complex confluence of emotions surrounded that first Reggae Marathon event.  And it was there that we came together with the Reggae Marathon family from Jamaica and around the world that continued for 11 years. It has endured to this day.

Over the course of those annual pilgrimages to Negril, a couple of my sons came along.  Courtney paced me through the finish of one half marathon sacrificing his time to see me through a challenging race.  The next year both he and his twin brother Andrew made the trek along with a couple of friends.  That year we also connected with our Jamaican family...that was a race weekend to remember!  

After coming along for the first two races, Sally begged off.  As a non-runner and not a sun worshiper as I was, the race weekend didn't offer her much.  As the Reggae Marathon social media guy I was busy all of the time in Negril. She let me get away every December to 'play with my Reggae Marathon family'.  Thank you Sally!

I stopped going to Negril for Reggae Marathon after the 2019 event.  I felt then that 11 consecutive years was enough.  And what timing!  Who knew about COVID 19 that would stop the world for the next couple of years including the live Reggae Marathon event.  But the Reggae Marathon stuck together.  On one of his annual vacations to Negril toward the end of the pandemic, Larry Savitch a long-time runner and Reggae Marathon regular, posted beach pictures.  I lived vicariously through those posts.  Thank you Larry.

But the pull to go back to Reggae Marathon continued.

I had planned to run Reggae Marathon in 2022.  That changed in March when Sally got diagnosed with brain cancer.  Everything changed that day.  

Sally passed away in January 2023.  We held her celebration of life this past August, a day before her 69th birthday. It was a joyous event celebrating a life lived well!

One of the photos in the collage I put together has her sitting under the broiling sun at the finish line of that first Marathon in 2008.  

I finished over an hour later than I had told her, and worried about her worrying about me.  But as I ran down the finish chute and saw her sitting there smiling...there are no words! I felt her presence that day on the final few miles to the finish.  Thank you Sally!

Earlier this year Courtney, Andrew and Holden hatched a plan for a family vacation.  In no time we settled on Negril in December.  We're booked now: kids, spouses, grandkids...12 in all. We've even got a few other friends and families coming along!  Courtney, Andrew and I are running in the Reggae Marathon and the non-runners in our family will make up a large cheering section at the finish!  Can't wait!

Despite not being a fan of the broiling sun or heat, Sally will be looking down on us this December.  She'll be smiling as she watches her family come together at Reggae Marathon 2023.

Until next time...

2019 Reggae Marathon Experience

I've been a part of Reggae Marathon since 2009 when I ran my first full Marathon.  2019 made it 11 consecutive years of making the trip to Negril, Jamaica for the annual weekend vacation and running event.  Back in 2009, that never crossed my mind.  I had a special reason for Reggae Marathon that year...it was a one-off!  But then something special happened...

That day in 2009 it had rained the night before.  The morning dawned with bright sunny skies and above average humidity.  Truth:  It was brutally hot!  I had a 4 1/2 hour target time to finish but by the time I hit the half way point, I knew that wouldn't happen.  And out on the course there was no way to communicate that back to Sally who was waiting for me at the Finish at Long Bay Beach Park.  Or so I thought...

That morning Sally connected with Diane Ellis, Sponsorship Director of Reggae Marathon.  Diane found a chair and umbrella for Sally so that she would have some respite from the blazing sun.  I didn't know that of course and on top of the challenge of finishing, worried about how Sally was fairing as the minutes ticked off past my target time.

Diane came to the rescue again when she shared my progress via the timing mats that I crossed way out on the course.  That gave her an approximate time, and a bit of relief that I was actually still making progress.

As I came to the finish chute, another surprise:  Bob Moore, a runner from Washington, DC who we had met at our hotel only days before was there holding a Canadian Flag for me to carry across the finish!  He had waited after he finished his 10K race for over 4 hours to catch my finish!  

I was on the course 5hours and 26 minutes that day.  I finished well after the majority of finishers had left and were already relaxing at their resorts.  The coconuts and beer were long gone.  

There was no music.  Only Reggae Marathon volunteers handing my my finisher medal and bottled water.  Diane standing beside Sally giving her encouragement and support.  Our recent American friends sticking around to hand me a Canadian flag.

Today we talk about the excitement of the music, the fresh cut coconut and the cold beer as being the Reggae Marathon Experience.  Truth:  It's the people.  The friends we met that day are still friends 11 years on.  My Reggae Marathon Experience has kept me coming back year after year to meet up with friends I only see in person once a year.  

Over the years there have been 3 people who have become special:  Navin, Larry and Dan.  We called ourselves the 4 Musketeers.  Every year we waited for the last finisher in order to have a group picture celebrating another successful finish.  

Sadly Dan passed away in Negril in 2018 while in Jamaica for his 7th Reggae Marathon.  And in 2019 Navin was not able to make it.  Larry and I still got together for our photo...dedicated to both Navin and Dan.  This is the photo from 2018 when Dan's passing was fresh and very raw for all of us.  It still is a year later!  But what keeps us going is a love of running...and Reggae Marathon!

The Experience is about people.  Old friends reunited, new friends made;  friendships celebrated!  That Experience will live with me forever!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Work with the World's Happiest Marathon

Right now there is a unique opportunity to work with the World's Happiest Marathon, the Reggae Marathon running event is Negril, Jamaica.  Full details are available here:  Wanted Social Media Manager.

I've been going to Reggae Marathon every year for the past 10 years.  This December will by my 11th consecutive event.  I've run all three race events, the Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K. Along the way I've made some great friends and had some great experiences:  The Love Bus Bar hopping tour is one of the highlights!

Now it's time to pass on the baton.  And it's your opportunity to become the Reggae Marathon Social Media Manager!  Between now and October 30, 2019, Reggae Marathon is running a blog writing contest to find and select the next Social Media Manager.  Guidelines for entering and deadline dates are included in this blog post:  Wanted, Social Media Manager

So if you love to run, like and use Social Media this could be for you!  And you never know what the next 11 years of your life will bring!

Until next time...

Weekend In Negril

What a great weekend in Negril!  I had a great time running Saturday morning of course but that was only the tip of the iceberg!  It began with the flight last Wednesday...

• I flew direct, non-stop to Montego Bay for the first time ever to get to Jamaica for Reggae Marathon.  I arrived almost too quickly...barely had time to listen to my full music selections and watch the movie! I'm not complaining of course...I got into Negril early enough to go for a swim before catching up with Dan Cumming over supper.
• The drive from Montego Bay to Negril has become a touchstone for me.  Crazy, busy airport and drive through Montego Bay that eases into a smooth drive along the coast road.  I always look out for the water wheel in Tryall, the stop-and-go drive through Lucea and Green Island...that means we are only miles away.
• Beach, beach, beach!  After a hearty breakfast each morning of Ackee and Saltfish and lovely Blue Mountain Coffee, I settle into my Negril routine:  Lounge chair feet from the water for the morning siesta.  Lots of sunscreen of course but I could lounge here all day...I usually do!
  
• The post-race photo with Dan, Navin, Larry and I.  This year we made it 30 Reggae Marathons between us;  it was my 9th consecutive!  I can't say enough about these guys.  We trash talk all year online and only meet up in person at Reggae Marathon.  Larry won the Challenge by-the way...no living with him for the next year!
• The Beer Bus pub crawl on Sunday afternoon was...well, let's just say we got waaaaay off the beaten path for this one!  Our driver took us to two extra special bars:  One owned by his wife...the other by his Ex-Wife!  Only in Jamaica

I spent the week as usual at Rondel Village.  Great, intimate, family-run resort right on the Negril Beach.  The sunsets are spectacular but so are the sunrises, this one with the Super Moon...

A great weekend in Negril. Another year done and a new one to look forward to...

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Jamaica Bound

Jamaica Bound!  Bags packed for wheels up to Negril on Wednesday.  Flying direct this year from Toronto to Negril via Air Canada.  By this time tomorrow I'll be comfortably ensconced in my first class seat sipping Champagne...oops, that was my inner voice fantasy.  I'm in Economy but with my prefered Aisle seat...easy access to the onboard washroom.

Another big advantage of flying direct, assuming all goes well,is that I'll be through the airport in Montego Bay ahead of rush hour traffic. That should ease the drive along the shore road to Negril.  And again, assuming all goes well, I should be able to get in a late afternoon swim at Rondel Village, my hotel in Negril.  Dan...you listening?

Rondel Village has been the base of operations for Reggae Marathon for the past 7 years.  It's a great, intimate, very well run hotel along the Negril Beach.  It's about a mile to the Reggae Marathon Start/Finish line and a little less to the Pasta Party.  We do a lot of walking and given that it's way warmer than Toronto, that's a good thing!

Dan and I take breakfast and dinner most nights at the restaurant by the beach at Rondel Village.  There's a Menu of course but for Breakfast it's the Jamaican Breakfast:  Ackee and Saltfish;  For supper, Escovitch Fish...a whole Snapper!  Blue Mountain coffee in the morning;  Red Stripe with Supper.  I'm salivating!  The service is great and the conversation between tables is usually all about running...Rondel Village is a popular hotel with Reggae Marathoners.  If you're planning on running Reggae Marathon 2018, book early!

Beach, beach, beach...there, that decision made!  Rondel Village has a relatively compact beach frontage.  There are two areas, behind the fence and directly on the beach.  Dan and I stake out our beach-side lounges first thing after breakfast Thursday morning.  With towels supplied by the hotel, there's only one other decision to make:  SPF 45?  Yes, heavyweight sun protection is mandatory in Negril in December.  It's hot of course...which I love...and with the sun more directly overhead that in Canada, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the sun without sunscreen (with apologies to the Joe Cocker album I lifted that line from).

Oh, and there's a race this Saturday!  Yeah, 5:15 am Saturday a few thousand runners are sent away for a full Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K.  I've got Finisher Medals from all three but for the past few years I've run the 10K.  I get a nice run in and am finished and enjoying a cold Red Stripe and a refreshing post-race swim by 6:30 am.  That's about as good as it gets.

One more sleep to wheels up...

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Getting Ready For Reggae Marathon

I'm getting ready for Reggae Marathon, only a few weeks away now on December 2.  Getting ready?  What's to get ready for?  It's a warm weather destination race event beside a beach!  Running shoes, tights, top and bathing suit...that about does it for packing.  Well...

• Airplane ticket:  Direct flight this year from Toronto to Montego Bay!  Yippee!.  As much as I like the airport in Miami, I love this direct, non-stop flight to Jamaica.  
• Transfer to Negril from the airport in Montego Bay:  JUTA Negril takes care of me both ways at Reggae Marathon.  I love the trip and check off the touch points on my way:  Montego Bay Harbour from the 'high road';  The Street vendors as we make it through town;  The Water Wheel at Tryall;  Coming into Lucea...always a hustle and bustle;  Green Island, the original turnaround for the full Marathon;  Long Bay Beach Park...ahhh, we're home!
• First Red Stripe on the Beach:  For the past number of years I've stayed at Rondel Village, a really nice smaller property along the Negril Beach.  So has Dan Cumming and it's been great to catch up over a beer at dinner watching the sun sink into the Caribbean.
• First run in Negril:  Looking forward to Thursday morning's run with Dan.  Easy pace and not too long.  
• Everything around the Reggae Marathon Race Experience of course:  Thursday to meet the Reggae Marathon crew and pick up our race kits;  Friday night Pasta Party to meet up with the rest of the international gang;  Saturday before, during and after...I never want it to end!
• Ossies for Jerk Pork and Jerk Chicken:  Washed down with a cold Red Stripe.  Do I really need to say more?
• The Beer Bus...or is that politically incorrect?  Sunday's bus trip to numerous off-the-beaten path bars in Negril's West End organized by Larry Savitch is the perfect way to end a fabulous weekend.  Wonder how many people will be crammed onboard this year?

Yes the suitcase is packed.  New shoes and all.  What time is the limo coming...?

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

7 Thoughts A Runner Has During A Half Marathon

What the heck am I doing?

That question happens around the half way mark when the reality of a likely finish time sinks in...if only I can hold this pace!  Although I may have done it once in a training run, running the second half faster than the first is unlikely and unrealistic.  Oh well, better just enjoy the run.


Here are some other thoughts a runner has during a half marathon:

1. Don't go out too fast.  Did I go out too fast?  I told myself to start slowly and ease into race pace.  Why did I go out too fast?
2. Did I hydrate properly before the race?  Did I balance the electrolyte with enough water?  
3. I hope the gels don't make my stomach turn.  Wish I hadn't changed my usual brand at the last minute?  Hope I brought enough gels.
4. Do all these runners in front of me need to be chatting so much? And they're smiling!  Wish I could smile.  I'm smiling, right?
5. If I stay in front of the 2 hour pace bunny I'll finish under 2 hours!  The 2 hour pace bunny must be running too fast.  Why is the 2 hour pace bunny pulling ahead.
6. I overdressed.  I overdressed.  I overdressed!
7. I see the finish.  Pick up the pace.  Smile.  Breathe.  Forget breathing...smile for the finish line camera!

First thought on crossing the finish line:   "I'm never doing that again!"

Thought about 10 minutes later:  "That wasn't so bad...when's the next race?"

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Reggae Marathon...My Favourite Experience

My favourite races?  There are so many over the years but one stands out for the experience:  Reggae Marathon!

I've experienced Reggae Marathon every year since 2009.  If you're counting that's 8 to-date.  This December 2 makes 9 consecutive.  I can't think of another race that has captured the pure essence of running commraderie.  Larry, Navin and Dan (above, left to right) would agree!

While on the Reggae Marathon, that's Lisa Laws the founding spirit of the Reggae Runnerz.  It began with a small group of ladies a few years ago and has now blossomed into 500+ Runnerz meeting up in Negril every December for their annual 'Runcation'.

I've got to run with two of my sons, Courtney and Andrew, a couple of times at Reggae Marathon.  I use the term 'running together' very loosely.  It's more accurate to say that we were in the same race event together...they are quite speedy!

Without Sally, Bob and Debbie...especially Sally...this 8+ year experience at Reggae Marthon would have been over after year 1.  That year, Reggae Marathon 2009 was my first time racing in Negril.  It was also the completion of my first and to-date only Marathon.  Sally sat in the hot mid-morning sun for hours waiting for me to finish.  Did I mention that she is not a sun worshiper?  Saint!

Cooling off in the refreshing Caribbean after Reggae Marathon!  Nuff Said!

The year I walked the Reggae Marathon with a broken foot.  Foolish?  Some would agree but I kept the consecutive streak alive!  

The big finish at Reggae Marathon 2009.  5+ hours (not bad for a newbie).  Elation combined with relief...and a few tears!  Dun and DUN!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Reggae Marathon Blog Top 50

The Reggae Marathon Blog made it well into the Top 50 Marathon Blogs this year!  Whoa!  How did that happen?

You all know me as ThatRunninGuy.  I've been blogging about running for nearly 10 years.  It took a while to settle on running as my main interest.  Over the years I've blogged about cooking, business and just about everything in between.  Now each week I share what's on my mind about running. You've read about my injuries, recoveries, re-injuries and most recently lack of running performance. I love your reactions and feedback.  Keep it coming.

In another online world, I'm known as Reggae Marathon RunninGuy.  For the past 7 years I've been the Blogger behind the twice weekly blog posts and all the Social Media, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.  I started with Reggae Marathon when the race organizers made a couple of decisions:  First, a major and more user-friendly website update and second, to use Social Media more actively to connect with runners from around the world.  We've grown from 1,000 runners back then to nearly maxed out 3,000 runners for 2017.  

Reggae Marathon is now connected with runners from over 35 countries.  Runners plan their annual vacation to Negril in December so they can run in Reggae Maraton. Runners...go figure!  Runners come back year-after-year while staying in-touch online throughout the year.  Just ask Dan, Navin, Larry and I...we'll have a total of 30 combined Reggae Marathons between us!

I'm pretty humbled by the accolade Reggae Marathon received.  Sharing personal running stories, sharing life experiences, enjoying friendships on the beach...it's your stories shared on the blog that resonates.  Thank you for sharing!

Now let's get out for a run...

ThatRunninGuy

Dad loved running

This past Sunday was Father's Day. No my Dad wasn't a runner but he loved that I was.

This Father's Day I was torn between emotions.  On one hand, I was sad recalling my own Father who passed away 9 years ago (This is one my favourite photos of Dad).  On the other, I was elatated thinking about my son and his wife who are three months away from having their first child.  Next year this time will be his first Father's Day and my first as Grandpa (Grandpa...yes, I think I'll go with that).  

Reggae Marathon is woven into this story. My first and only Marathon was Reggae Marathon in 2009.  Since that beginning, I've grown into a number of relationships with runners from around the world who are now an inseperable part of my life.  I miss my Dad but can't thank him enough for inspiring me to make the trek with Sally to Negril and endure over 5 hours running in the mid-morning sun.  It wasn't even a thought that Navin, Dan, Larry, Karen, Deb and everyone else who I've connected with through Reggae Marathon would become so close.  Every December we great each other like it's the first time.  I never grow tired of that!

So...Trust the love, move to the inspiration...Happy Father's Day!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Cast your vote for Reggae Marathon

Cast your vote for Reggae Marathon as International Race of the Year. I'd say 'vote now and vote often'  but it's one vote per email so I'll stick with 'Vote Now'.

Reggae Marathon is my favourite race event.  2017 will be my 9th consecutive Reggae Marathon Experience.  I don't run many races anymore...I like my early morning runs each day.  But I think about being in Negril on the first Saturday of December ever year to meet up with all my running friends:  Larry, Navin, Dan of course and everyone else I meet on the beach and on the road.  And on The Bus...the Sunday evening pub crawl on the One Love Bus tops off the Reggae Marathon Experience every time!

Reggae Marathon is often in the Top 10 International Marathon events primarily because of the amazing care we get as runners:  The Pasta Party Friday night, the well organized race course, the post-race beach party all one of the best beaches in the world, Negril. Now let's show some love.  Men's Running UK and Women's Running UK have included Reggae Marathon on their list of International Races in 2017.  So shameless promotion: Click on either of the links below to vote for Reggae Marathon:

You can also check out the voting at this link, Vote for Reggae Marathon.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Running with the Rebels at Reggae Marathon

Love running?  Love the beach?  Combine the two with the Reggae Rebels at Reggae Marathon this December 2 in Negril, Jamaica.

Through a mutual friend and runner, I was introduced to Bonnie Fowler over 5 years ago.  Bonnie is one of those truly selfless people who is more interested in seeing others succeed.  She's deeply involved in the running community east of Toronto and promotes and runs numerous events and activities for runners throughout the year.  One of the highlights is the Reggae Marathon, a race event she's passionate about...she's been going with a group for over 5 years with a group she calls Reggae Rebels.  Bonnie takes care of everything.  And I mean everything! 

If you love running while enjoying a great beach vacation, here is more information along with how to contact Bonnie:  Reggae Rebels at Reggae Marathon

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

My Running Crew

Navin, Larry, Chris, Dan

4 guys who met through Reggae Marathon make up my running crew.  Only two of us live in the same city and none of us run together except when we meet up in Negril, Jamaica on the first Saturday of December every year to run in Reggae Marathon.  But on all my runs my crew is with me stride-for-stride.

The Instigator:  Navin.  I thought he was a stalker at first when we met in Negril.  He's a really good runner who gets caught up in extremes...don't all runners exhibit extreme behaviour?  He connected with me via his blog and we met briefly in Negril that first year.  One year he ran the full Reggae Marathon on Saturday, flew to Florida to run a full marathon on Sunday! Navin started it all.

The Comedian:  Larry.  His comical side masks the fact that he's a really good runner as well.  He keeps it light though...that is always appreciated!  Larry has on more than one occasion helped me through tough slogging at Reggae Marathon even slogging stride-for-stride me for a little while sacrificing his time in his event.  

The Writer:  Dan.  This runner can write!  He's a history buff who tracks and reports on 'really serious' running.  Dan knows how to find your finish time from some long ago and vaguely remembered event.  He is our timer and every year runs the Reggae Marathon Challenge where he distance compensates and age grades us in a friendly competition.  I think he knows Voodoo too his methods make sense but I'll be dammed if I can figure them out.

We don't physically run together during the year but there isn't a run I go on where one or all of my running crew aren't along for the ride.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Reggae Marathon Experienced

16 years in the making;  35 countries and counting.  Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica.  What began as a dream hatched by the Jamdammers Running Club in Kingston, Jamaica has now grown into an annual event that draws runners from all over the world to enjoy a running vacation in the beach resort area of Western Jamaica, Negril.

'What is the Reggae Marathon Experience?" was the  question asked over cold Red Stripes by a non-runner who was experiencing Reggae Marathon for the first time.  A simple question loaded with nuance and depth probing to the heart of business and branding.  As a lifetime runner working in the marketing business, I was hooked.

First of all, Reggae Marathon is a running event.  Three running events are included:  Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K.  That by itself is not absolutely unique...many races include multiple distance events to appeal to a broader group of runners.  It's extremely well organized.  Runner care is top notch from start to finish.  This is a big deal!

Reggae Marathon is a 'Destination Running Event'.  There is a large and growing group of runners who choose and plan for races in 'Exotic Destinations'.  The Mauritus Marathon is probably one of the most remote and exotic destination running events on the planet!  Jamaica with it's oversized ego and national braggadocio around running is exotic...and a relatively short plane trip to get to for Europeans and Americans from North and South. The miles long beach of white sand and warm sea water is well known as a fun and relaxing destination for beach loving vacationers.

Mashing up running and vacation is at the heart of the Reggae Marathon Experience and the key to the success of the Brand.  The last few years has seen an explosion of groups of runners self-organizing around the trip to Reggae Marathon to connect and re-connect with their running friends. Social Media has helped:  Runners connect online all year anticipating meeting up 'for reals' on the road and on the beach in Negril.

The Reggae Marathon Experienced!

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

Are you Experienced?

I got hooked on Reggae Marathon when Bob Moore and his wife Debbie took Sally and I under their wings at my first Reggae Marathon 8 years ago. I finished well after the crowds and musicians had left for the morning. But there they were in the blazing mid-morning sun waiting for my finish!  As the photo here shows, I was spent!  I even forgot to get my finisher medal!  Sally grabbed it for me.  I ran the race but she earned that Finisher Medal!  That was my first Reggae Marathon Experience...the start of an 8 year run.

The Regae Marathon Experience is highly personal. Each Reggae Marahoner enjoys their own personal experience but there are three main ingredients:  People, Music, Negril.  Combine with your own special 'spices' to create your own Reggae Marathon Experience.  But be warned... Once experienced it becomes an obsession!

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Reggae Marathon RunninGuy Exposed

You have a dirty mind!  I know what you were thinking.  Some of you have actually noted I over-expose since I like running in tights ('Men in Tights...now that was a good movie).  But let me get back on on topic.  After many years behind the scenes of Reggae Marathon's Social Media, I moved out of the shadows and into the limelight with the first Facebook Live event on January 2.  And I must say, it wasn't as clunky as I feared...but you be the judge of that...I know you will!

You'll find me in Negril December 2, 2017 at 5:15 am lined up with 2,300+ runners from all over the world at Reggae Marathon!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Images from Negril

Running barefoot in the sand along the Beach in Negril ranks up there with one of life's great experiences.  And lucky me I get to do it every year at Reggae Marathon.  I enjoyed a couple of early morning runs with Dan Cumming this past December and if all goes well, will be back for Reggae Marathon on December 2, 2017.  

But that wasn't all at Reggae Marathon.  Once again I got to meet some interesting people.  Runners all, they heard about Reggae Marathon from friends or Social Media and were inspiried to make their own running story.  I met Alex from Cologne, Germany in the Reggae Marathon Race Kit pickup line on Thursday afternoon.  He was in Negril to full his dream: Fulfilling a Dream. 

And then of course are the images from Negril captured in hotos.  Here are a few, each one special:

Rocking the Reggae Marathon and Reggae Runnerz colours, the indefatiguable Lisa Laws. Although we only enjoyed a few moments after the race, it was nick to catch up with the lady responsible for 450+ runners from the US who make the annual pilgrimage to Reggae Marathon every year.  If you want to join them, head to their website, Reggae Runnerz.

Dan Cumming from White Rock, British Columbia (a lovely seaside town south of Vancouver on Canada's Pacific Coast) brought these two people together.  On the left is Dan's friend Al from British Columbia and on the right his friend Lawrence from Montego Bay.  Al's not a runner and he was recovering from a knee procedure yet he still made the trek to Negril to walk the Reggae Marathon 10K.  Lawrence is a runner so his travel distance was significantly less but he too enjoyed the Reggae Marathon Experience.

What began with Navin stalking me at Reggae Marathon a few years ago has led to the '4 Amigos', Larry, Navin, me and Dan who now have 28 Reggae Marathon events between us. Larry really had done 6 Reggae Marathons not the 7 his fingures indicate.  He said he was nervous but I think he was thinking about Reggae Marathon 2017 on December 2.

Men with large, sharp machettes chopping coconuts for each runner after Reggae Marathon.  Coconut water is a great natural electrolyte replacement fluid but half of the fun is watching these guys wield their machettes.

That's the Reggae Marathon Experience.  Deeply personal, addictive and made up of special unique momemts.  It keeps me coming back year after year.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy