NEGRIL, Westmoreland — More than 500 athletes from across the world are expected to participate in the annual Reggae Marathon in Negril this year.

The event, which is in its third year, is to take place on December 6, and organisers, headed by the Kingston-based Jamdammers Running Club, have said they anticipate the event, which is geared at helping to market tourism and promote healthy living, would go off without a hitch.

This year’s participants will be vying for the Bob and Rita Marley trophies as the main prizes in the male and female categories. In addition, the winners will receive US$2,250 each, while the second place winners will take home US$1,500. The third, fourth and fifth place winners will take home US$750, US$375 and US$200, respectively.

Competitors in the masters category, which is for athletes 40 years and older, will be vying for US$300, which will go to the first place winner, and US$200 and US$100 that will go to the second and third place winners, respectively.

Defending champion, Pamenos Ballentyne of St Vincent, has not been dethroned since winning the marathon at its inaugural staging in 2001. He has been invited back to defend his title. He clocked 2:21:35 the first year and won comfortably, some 10 minutes ahead of Manchester’s Linton McKenzie.

The female winner was 44 year-old Lorna Williams from Kingston, who crossed the finish line after being on the road for 3:27.