Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

JAMAICA'S LINTON McKenzie and Arieta Martin were crowned Reggae Marathon champions in Negril yesterday morning.

McKenzie, the veteran runner from Manchester, won the men's race in 2.40.08 and took home $75,000 for his efforts.

"I thank God and all those who have helped me, especially my wife and my coach, Seymour Newman," McKenzie said after the gruelling 26.2-mile race on the west coast.

Hot favourite Martin won the women's section in 3.28.17.

"I did it for my one-year-old baby and to assist with my college diploma," an elated Martin said.

She won $50,000.

Out with injury

More than 100 runners participated in the marathon. All was going well for Jamaica's top hopeful, Rupert Green of Spanish Town, who held a clear lead until shortly after he crossed the 22-mile stretch where he bowed out of the race with an injury.

Participants from 11 countries took part in the eighth running of the popular event.

For the first time since its inception, Jamdammers - the organisers of the event - introduced a 10k run as part of the package. It was no surprise when 17-year-old Kemoy Campbell, a student of Bellefield High School in Manchester, clocked 31.02 to win that race shortly after 6 a.m.

Conroy Crossman of Edwin Allen High ran 32.22 to place second. Holmwood High's Wayne McIntosh registered the same time with Darren Lindsay of Manchester placing fourth in 32.28.

"I am really happy that I have won this race," said Campbell. "The weather was cool and that was what I wanted and I believe that helped me to win. If the sun was up it would have been more difficult to run."

Campbell had won the Half Marathon previously, but he opted to run the 10K this time round because it was a shorter distance. He took home $20,000 and now has has sights set on Boys and Girls Athletic Championships.

Concentrating on school

"I am looking forward to breaking the (10K) record this year and I'll be on the international circuit some time soon, but I am now concentrating on school," he said.

Manchester High's Natoya Goule, 17, ran 36.41 to win the 10K women's category.

"It was not difficult running the race, as I kept up the speed from the beginning. It feels great," Goule said.

Last year, she placed second in the Half Marathon.

Terri Rejimbal of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, won in the women's half marathon category in 1.23.18 and collected $37,500, while Kirk Brown, of Seek Club in Claren-don, won the men's section and also bagged $37,500.

Richard Lake (left), a member of the Reggae Marathon committee, congratulates Linton McKenzie for winning the men's Reggae Marathon crown.