Reggae Marathon, Half & 10K 2025

Reggae Marathon, Half & 10K celebrates its 25th anniversary in Kingston from December 5–7, 2025, with an all-new waterfront course and a Sunday race day on December 7 that starts at 5:30 a.m. on Nethersole Place. For the first time, Jamaica’s signature running event moves from Negril to Kingston’s historic harbor district, debuting IAAF/AIMS-certified routes for the Half Marathon, 10K, and a newly added 5K, plus the beloved pasta party and a Finish Line Beach Bash on the Kingston waterfront.

Dates, location, and schedule

The official 2025 fact sheet confirms a three-day program in Kingston, December 5–7, with bib pick-up and the “World’s Best” Pasta Party on Friday and Saturday, and all three races going off at dawn on Sunday. The Half Marathon and 10K start at 5:30 a.m., the 5K at 5:35 a.m., and the finish-line celebration runs 7:00–10:00 a.m. along Port Royal Street by the harbor.

Course highlights and certification

Reggae Marathon’s Kingston-era courses are flat, fast, and fully certified by IAAF and AIMS, with closed lanes, medical coverage, hydration every mile, cooling stations with iced towels, and reggae music at each mile marker. The 10K route threads central streets and the Art Walk murals on Water Lane before an out-and-back on Michael Manley Boulevard, finishing at Port Royal Street and Hanover Street; the Half Marathon and 5K use mapped variants published on the race website.

Start/finish and race-day flow

All races start near Nethersole Place on the Kingston waterfront and finish on Port Royal Street, with the course open for four hours to accommodate varying paces. The event employs MYLAPS BibTag timing, live tracking via the official site, and gun and chip times, ensuring accurate results for competitive runners and a smooth experience for walk-run participants.

Registration and deadlines

Registration is open on the official site for in-person and virtual participants, with an online cutoff of December 1 for virtual entries and December 3 for in-person entries; on-site registration and packet pickup are available in Kingston on December 5–6 only. There is no race-morning registration or packet collection, and age minimums are 14 for the Half and 10 for the 10K and 5K.

A 25-year milestone

Marking its 25th year, the event underscores a reputation for organization, volunteer care, and festive flair, now reimagined along Kingston’s waterfront while keeping signature touches like mile-by-mile reggae and the post-race beach-themed bash. Organizers note the anniversary as both a celebration and a step into a new urban course identity, retaining the “irie” spirit runners love.

Pasta Party and Finish Line Beach Bash

The “World’s Best” Pasta Party is slated for Saturday afternoon at S Foods on Worthington Avenue, offering carb loading, camaraderie, and live vibes ahead of the early start. The Finish Line Beach Bash transforms the harborfront with music, refreshments, and a relaxed afterglow for participants and supporters from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.

What makes the new course special

Kingston’s harbor setting brings a sunrise glow over the Caribbean Sea, a street-art tour through Water Lane, and a flatter profile ideal for personal best attempts. Early start times, closed traffic lanes, and frequent aid stations make conditions favorable, while the cultural backdrop of downtown and the waterfront adds a distinct sense of place.

Travel planning tips

• Stay near the waterfront: Booking in central Kingston cuts transfer times to packet pickup and the pre-dawn start; the fact sheet lists S Foods for bib collection and the waterfront for race-day logistics.
• Arrive by Friday: With on-site services only on Dec 5–6 and a 5:30 a.m. race start, arriving by Friday simplifies acclimatization and packet pickup.
• Plan transport: Pre-arrange rideshares or hotel shuttles for 4:30–5:00 a.m. arrivals at Nethersole Place to avoid stress before the gun.

Safety, weather, and comfort

The fact sheet projects a start temperature around 24°C/76°F with low rainfall probability; runners should still hydrate early and use cooling stations. Lightweight apparel, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended, and post-finish recovery is supported by medical stations and shaded areas near the bash.

For first-timers and PR‑chasers

The flat, certified courses, music at every mile, and early start give beginners and seasoned runners the same chance for a great day, with pacer-friendly infrastructure and four-hour course availability. Competitive runners benefit from closed lanes, precise timing, and a straightforward out‑and‑back component that supports even pacing.

Virtual option

A parallel virtual race period runs November 16 to December 7, 2025, with results submissions due by December 8 and final rankings released on December 10. Virtual finishers receive a medal, finisher certificate, T‑shirt, and bag, echoing the in-person experience for those running from afar.

Community and culture on course

Reggae at each mile marker keeps spirits high, and the downtown route’s pass through the Art Walk murals offers a living gallery of Kingston creativity. Volunteers and mile stations add the trademark hospitality that has defined the event for a quarter century.

Sample weekend itinerary

• Friday, Dec 5: Land in Kingston, check in, and pick up your bib at S Foods between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec 6: Final shakeout, late-afternoon Pasta Party at S Foods from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., lights out early.
• Sunday, Dec 7: Half & 10K at 5:30 a.m., 5K at 5:35 a.m., then celebrate at the Finish Line Beach Bash along the waterfront until 10:00 a.m.

How to register and prepare

Register through the official site, confirm the chosen distance, and review the fact sheet for packet pickup windows and course specifics. Train with some early starts to simulate the 5:30 a.m. gun, and practice fueling for warm conditions with steady hydration and electrolytes.

Why run Reggae Marathon 2025

This anniversary edition offers the best of a beloved Jamaican running tradition with the excitement of a new Kingston waterfront course, complete with certified routes, live reggae, and a festive post-race scene. It is an ideal year to set a goal race, bring friends, or check off a Caribbean run with an unforgettable cultural vibe.

Set the alarm for a predawn start and get ready to watch the sun rise over Kingston’s harbor as reggae carries the miles. Register now for the 25th Reggae Marathon weekend on December 5–7, 2025, lace up for a fast waterfront run, and celebrate the finish at the Beach Bash with island energy all around.