Races

PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONJM / RACE GUIDE

Reggae Marathon

Name: Gordon and Heinrich Top Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k | TVJ News
Uploaded: 2025-12-08
Description: The Reggae Marathon is held in Kingston, Jamaica, and organised by the Jamdammers Running Club. The 2026 event takes place from December 4 to 6. The half marathon, 10K and 5K courses pass through King

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Kingston
JM

shotsbydvh / Visit JamaicaTillon Aniel · CC BY-SA 3.0

Race date in 23 days: Dec 6, 2026 Sun
City · Distance: Kingston · 21.1km · 10km · 5km
Entry fee: $125From the 2025 edition
Status: OpenThu, April 23, 2026 ~ Tue, December 1, 2026See how to enter ↗

Official website ↗

Instagram YouTube

D-day as of Nov 13, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

The Reggae Marathon is held in Kingston, Jamaica, and organised by the Jamdammers Running Club.

The 2026 event takes place from December 4 to 6. The half marathon, 10K and 5K courses pass through Kingston's historic waterfront district.

Founded in 2001, the race was based in Negril for 24 years before moving to Kingston for the 2025 event, its 25th edition.

The 2026 race will be the 26th edition.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

#December Marathon#Kingston#ReggaeMarathon#World certified marathon

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3

Carlie RobinsonRan in 2018

“Breaking the tape and getting the win at the 2018 Reggae Half-Marathon was a great achievement.”

At the 2018 Reggae Half Marathon, the runner maintained their target pace for the first 10 km. Although their pace dropped in the second half, the runner held on to the lead and won amid encouragement from the other runners.

Read the original on Carlie Runs Barbados

RunTheWorldRan in 2015

“If I had known about the danger, I probably would have stopped partway through.”

Ran the 2015 Reggae Marathon from an early-morning start in high humidity. It hurt enough that they think they should have stopped around 35km, but they still recommend the event itself, the pasta party and the beach vibe.

Quoted from the original · translated

Original quote

Dziś znając ryzyko pewnie bym zeszła.

Read the original on RunTheWorld

Reggae Marathon RunninGuy (Sugar 'Tuff Gong' Bong)Ran in 2009

“I was pretty emotional when I crossed the Reggae Marathon finish line that day.”

Finished the 2009 Reggae Marathon full marathon as their first and last marathon. Got through the heat with a run-10-minutes, walk-1-minute plan, using every aid station, and was so elated afterward they ran straight into the sea.

Read the original on Reggae Marathon

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Reggae Marathon Recap 2022
Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K
View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2025 edition

General entry

Online pre-registration (three price tiers: before Jul 31, from Aug 1, on-site) or on-site registration in Kingston.

No registration or pickup on race day.

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2025 edition

Runners start · local timeFrom 05:45

Time limit4 hours

Course stays open for 4 hours after the start

Event	Start	Time limit
Reggae Marathon - the Half Marathon, 10K & 5K21.0975km	05:45	4h
10K10km	05:55	4h
5K5km	06:00	4h

Half marathon US$115 (before Jul 31)/US$125 (after Aug 1)/US$140 (on site) · 10K US$85/US$95/US$110 · 5K US$50/US$60/US$80. Separate JMD fee for Jamaican locals (half marathon 7,000/8,000/10,000·10K 6,000/7,000/9,000·5K 5,000/6,000/8,000 JMD)
Three price tiers (before Jul 31, from Aug 1, on-site registration)

START

Kingston Waterfront, Kingston

Start · Google Maps

FINISH

Port Royal Street, Kingston Waterfront

Finish · Google Maps

Original course map · reggaemarathon.com

Runners start · local time — Half 05:45 · 10K 05:55 · 5K 06:00

The IAAF/AIMS-certified, mostly flat course loops around Kingston's waterfront district.

The 10K course starts at Nethersole Place and follows Ocean Boulevard, West Street, Port Royal Street,

Orange Street, Water Lane (The Art Walk), King Street, Tower Street and Church Street.

It then returns via Water Lane, East Street, Harbour Street and Michael Manley Boulevard,

turning around 250m after passing Highslop Avenue, before finishing at the intersection of Port Royal Street and Hanover Street.

Roads are fully closed to traffic for the runners.

World Athletics Label: Label Label
AIMS Certified: Member race of the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races)
Typical race-season temperature: around 26°C (78°F): Hot race — plan fluids and electrolytes
Aid stations: Water every mile (13 stations in total)

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Finisher certificate

Finisher finisher medal

Finisher certificate

Official T-shirt and bag

Pasta Party Entry

Finish Beach Bash admission

Hotels716m from the start · ★8.8

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2025 edition

December 4 (Fri) – Packet pickup

Bib pickup

Devon House, Kingston

Google Maps

December 4 (Fri): 13:00~17:00 (Registration/packet pickup) · December 5 (Sat) Registration 13:00~16:00
Packet pickup: 13:00~18:00

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the startNethersole Place, Kingston Waterfront (no rail/metro; downtown Kingston)
Transit cardJust pay cash in Jamaican dollars when you board a JUTC bus (flat fare around J$120). If you'll be riding a lot over several days, pick up a JUTC Smartercard, but for a short visit cash is simplest. Where to buy
Getting to the finishKingston Waterfront, same area as start

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026 · Source · checked Aug 17, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

Nethersole Place, Kingston Waterfront (no rail/metro; downtown Kingston)

IMPORTANT: after 24 years in Negril, the race relocated to Kingston Waterfront starting with the 2025 edition — the 2026 race (26th staging) is the second Kingston edition. Half Marathon & 10K start 5:15 AM, 5K shortly after.

Older pages describing the historic Negril course (Long Bay Beach Park start) are stale and do not apply.

Map

Getting to the finish

Kingston Waterfront, same area as start

"Finish Line Bash" held at the Waterfront, 7:00-10:00 AM race day.

Map

Start shuttle

No free general-public shuttle (unlike the old Negril course). JUTA Kingston taxi offers discounted rates for participants (arranged via race email); Uber is reliable in Kingston.

Packet pickup and Pasta Party at Devon House, Dec 5-6.

Transit card

JUTC Smartercard

JUTC depots/sales points and authorized top-up outlets around Kingston Not accepted at the gates — get the local card above

JUTC accepts cash and the Smartercard. Route taxis (shared, fixed-route) and licensed taxis are common alternatives and also run on cash.

Where to buy

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026 Source · checked Aug 17, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Aid station are set up every mile (13 in total), staffed by experienced runners and volunteers.

Cooling stations providing mist sprayers and ice towels are also positioned at each mile marker, with reggae music playing at every mile.

Medical aid stations and ambulances are stationed along the course.

The average morning temperature on race day is around 24°C, and rainfall is typically low at this time of year, so rain is not expected.

Packet Pickup and registration are available at Devon House starting 2 days before the race;

same-day morning registration and Packet Pickup are not available.

Times are local to Kingston. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Rok Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

Hotel · 398m · 6-minute walk

8.1/10(945)

View on Booking.com

Kingston Guided Bar Hopping Tour with Vip Speakeasy Entry

$92

Reggae Marathon

About Reggae Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run

Reggae Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

See it on video,feel it through their stories.

Reggae Marathon Recap 2022

How to enter Reggae Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —start with what fits you.

General entry

Reggae Marathon course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Kingston Waterfront, Kingston

Port Royal Street, Kingston Waterfront

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Finisher medal

Event T-shirt

Finisher certificate

Finisher finisher medal

Finisher certificate

Official T-shirt and bag

Pasta Party Entry

Finish Beach Bash admission

Where and when to collect your Reggae Marathon race bib

To the start line,step by step.

Bib pickup

Devon House, Kingston

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

Getting to the finish

Start shuttle

Transit card

From race morning to after the finish.

The race is one day,the trip can be longer.

Rok Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

Kingston Guided Bar Hopping Tour with Vip Speakeasy Entry

Kingston: Downtown Kingston Guided Food Tour

Kingston Like a Local – Authentic City Tour!

Joy Luxury Estate Kingston

River Ryder Adventure Park Guided Activity Entry Ticket

Kingston: Walking guided tour with photo opportunities and tastings

Hotels near the Reggae Marathon start line in Kingston

Hotels that make race morning easy

Rok Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection By Hilton

Joy Luxury Estate Kingston

Kingston Hideaway & Vineyard Views Wi-Fi Pool

The Oxford Suite

Angel's Apartment Jamaica

Malia's New Kgn Apartment

Kingston Airport bed and breakfast

Tours and activities around the Reggae Marathon in Kingston

Time for you, before and after the finish

Kingston Guided Bar Hopping Tour with Vip Speakeasy Entry

River Ryder Adventure Park Guided Activity Entry Ticket

Kingston, Jamaica: St Andrews: River Ryder Adventure Park Paintball Adventure

River Rider Adventure Park Bali Swing Experience

River Ryder Adventure Park Full Package

River Ryder Adventure Park Quad & Bali Swing Tour

River Riders Adventure Park ATV and Buggy Package

Kingston Car Rental (EconomyBookings)

Kingston Airport Pickup (GetTransfer)

Kingston: One-Way Airport Transfer to Any Hotel - Private

Private transfers to and from Kingston and airports across Jamaica

Private Transfer from Kingston Airport to Montego Bay

From Kingston: One-Way Shared Transfer Service to Kingston Airport

Kingston Airport–City Private Taxi

River Ryder Adventure Park Quad, Paintball and Zipline Combo

River Ryder Adventure Park Buggy and Zipline Combo

Kingston, Jamaica: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers

Kingston Uptown Mondays Vip Media Lounge Hookah

Jamaica Hidden River Hike with Lunch Hotel Transfer

Kingston Rhythmic Walking Music Tour

Kingston: Downtown Guided Walking Tour

Where runners eat in Kingston

Eating well is part of the trip

Kingston: Downtown Kingston Guided Food Tour

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

To the start line,
step by step.

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

With runners who dream of
the same start line.