FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAMAICANS SWEEP 2008 REGGAE MARATHON EVENT IN NEGRIL

NEGRIL, Jamaica … December 2008 -- Veteran long distance runner Linton
McKenzie and Arieta Martin ran away with the top spots in last Saturday's
Reggae Marathon event in Negril.

From a field of 754 entrants representing 18 countries, McKenzie was first
past the tape in 2:40:08 while Martin led the female finishers in 3:28:16.
Second place winners, Andrew Gutzmore and Carlene Blagrove, also seasoned
local marathoners, clocked times of 2:45:23 and 3:30:28 respectively. All
four front runners are regular participants in the Burger King Jamdammers
Grand Prix series of races which lead to the annual Reggae Marathon Event.

Other winners were Kirk Brown who took the Half Marathon in 1:10:42 and
Terri Rejimbal of Tampa, Florida who led the females in 1:23:18. Kemoy
Campbell with a time of 30:35 and Natoya Goule (36:41) came out ahead in
the highly competitive 10K.

Commenting on the 10K which was introduced for the first time this year,
race director Alfred Francis said "the race was highly competitive and
fielded the targeted 250 participants. The added incentive of the computers
donated by our valued sponsor Pan Caribbean for the teams with the top
three scores in the high school championship also generated a lot of
excitement." Manchester High emerged winners followed by Holmwood Technical
and Edwin Allen High Schools.

Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) again dominated in the corporate team
category, taking home the Heart Foundation of Jamaica /Reggae Marathon
corporate team award.

Other highlights of the event included the presentation of Reggae Marathon
Lifetime Awards to octogenarians and longtime rivals Burt Carlson (83) of
the USA and Jamaica's Roy Thomas (82) who finished with times of 7:33:34
and 6:02:31 respectively. Carlson, a five time Reggae Marathon participant
who was also competing in his 301st marathon noted, "I always enjoy this
race. Roy gives me enough competition and has beaten me a few times. I look
forward to our usual challenge next year!"

The Japanese eco marathoner Hajime Nisihi who not only participated but
covered the event, also spoke of his challenges in getting to Jamaica.
Hajime who was among the thousands of tourists
stranded at the Bangkok airport during the recent occupation was so
determined to get to Negril, that he travelled for 36 hours though the
jungle, via Singapore, in order to make his originally scheduled flights
form Tokyo to Montego Bay. He arrived in time for Reggae Marathon and
completed the event despite his ordeal.

Once again participants and guests were able to enjoy the highly acclaimed
World's Best Pasta Party as they consumed a variety of gourmet pasta dishes
at the Swept Away sports complex while rocking to the rhythm of the
Silverbird Steel band.

International stars Third World did not disappoint as they closed the
weekend's activities with a memorable performance at the MX3 "Finish line"
party, One Love Drive on the West End on Saturday night. (For more
information: www.reggaemarathon.com).

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