Jamaica is a place renowned largely for two things: their music and their hospitality, and both of these specialties were on full display December 4, at the 2004 Reggae Marathon in Negril.

Long before the sun rose over the Caribbean coastline, runners were swaying to the sounds of Bob Marley wailing over the speakers. And in place of the quiet tension that normally precludes a distance running event, there was a zest and energy not normally found in the early morning or on a marathon start line.

To the sound of a horn blaring out over a star-filled sky at 5:15 a.m., the marathon and half-marathon runners set off down the coastline, guided by the flames of tiki torches lining the two-lane road.

For St. Vincent native Pamenos Ballentyne, the fourth annual Reggae Marathon would mark his third victory at the event. Opting to compete elsewhere in 2003, Ballentyne, "The Pride of the Caribbean" in terms of distance running, convinced his manager and fans to support a return to Negril in 2004.

The race gave him a hero's welcome, though a pair of local Jamaican runners were also out to give him a run for his money.

The trio of Ballentyne, Phillip Edwards and Andrew Gutzmore emerged at the race's forefront just before mile 10 as the half-marathoners turned back toward the finish. The pack remained in tact until mile 16, when Ballentyne, who boasts a marathon PR of 2:15:30, made his decisive move and began a solo drive for the finish.

Ballentyne reached the finish line in 2:28:05, more than 13 minutes ahead of second and third place finishers Edwards (2:41:09) and Gutzmore (2:42:06), but well off his course record time of 2:21:05 set in 2001.

Ballentyne, however, was conserving his strength to compete in a half-marathon the following weekend in Grenada. "I was not really looking at time," said Ballentyne immediately after the race. "My main objective was to win the race. As you can see I'm very comfortable. After 26 miles, I still feel fine."

For women's champion Arieta Martin of St. Catherine, Jamaica, her victory didn't come quite as effortlessly at Ballentyne's, but she found just the right time to strike against her opposition.

"At five miles my injury (groin) started, but I kept on pushing," said Martin. "At the seven-mile mark I was in second but she (the race leader) stopped to use the bathroom, so it was time to get away."

Martin was never challenged for the remainder of the race and she triumphed in a personal best, 3:14:05. Kathly Waldron of Green Bay, WI, was runner-up in 3:19:25, and Mimmi Anderson, from Uppsala, Sweden, placed third in 3:32:36.

For Waldron, her second place finish marked her 50th career marathon, and she chose Negril's Reggae Marathon to celebrate the milestone. "I wanted to do my 50th marathon someplace special," said Waldron, "and I turned it into a week-long vacation."

Overall winner in the half-marathon
was Chicago's Jeremy Borling, 24, in 1:11:28
and Jamaican Tamica Thomas, 18,
won the women's division in 1:29: 45.

Paul Rosenblum, owner of Running Away,
a specialty running store in Chicago, was
also in town on vacation. Having vacationed
in Negril for the past several years and
missing out on the race, this year he made
sure his winter get-away with his wife and
three children was in line with the
Reggae Marathon. Rosenblum completed
the half marathon in 1:51:21.

For Rosenblum, the Reggae Marathon is unique for two reasons: "First, I have never seen friendlier spectators," he said. "And, after that pasta party last night, there is no chance of running a PR. I have been to Negril six or seven times, and that's the best food I've ever eaten in Jamaica."

With the hot sun rising, runners rejoiced across the grass finish line along the turquoise Caribbean Sea to the rhythm of steel drums, and to the genuine affection of spectators and volunteers.

Whether they were there for competition, vacation . . . or even the food, the general consensus was that everything was all right 'mon. For Running Network photo gallery, click here.

For more information on this event, check out www.reggaemarathon.com