Interview with Alfred Francis
(CEO of ReggaeMarathon.com)

by Wellesley Gayle
(Montego Bay, Jamaica)

Alfred loves sports, but he has a special knack for running. I don't think it was coincidental that he is playing such an instrumental role in what is now an event that the entire tourist industry looks forward to.

That event, The Reggae Marathon, is now a permanent fixture on Jamaica's tourist calendar, thanks again to Alfred and his team.

Alfred is yet another example of a true Jamaican who is making his contribution - in his own little way, to our nation's development - without much notice.

Here now is Alfred, I hope you will enjoy his interview.

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1. Hi Alfred, thanks again for accepting our request to speak to you. Please take a moment to tell us a bit about yourself, including where you grew up, family members, and indeed, anything else you'd like our readers to know about you.

Thanks so much for making contact with us and giving us a chance to interact with your readers. I was born and spent my early years in Port Antonio before moving to Kingston where I attended Kingston College High School (KC).

My formative years were spent with my grand aunt in Port Antonio and with my parents, and three siblings in Kingston - there are 2 girls and 2 boys, including myself born to my parents.

I now have a family of my own with coincidentally, 2 girls and 2 boys. I have a passion for sports, especially running, and I participated in Boys Champs and Penn Relays while at KC. Doing what I do now is easy because of my passion for running and especially long distance events.

2. Why the Reggae Marathon? What inspired you to do something like this?

Reggae Marathon is organized by the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston. We have been exposed to international marathon events and the Reggae Marathon was born out of our love for Marathon running, our participation in international marathon events, and our desire to give the gift of a spectacular sports tourism event to Jamaica.

3. The event is now a notable fixture on Jamaica's Tourist activity calendar, what would you say are some of it's special achievements?

Some of the special achievements of the Reggae
Marathon event are it's longevity; the fostering of an appreciation and love for recreational and long distance running in Jamaica; the promotion of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in Jamaica; the continuous growth of middle and long distance running locally; offering the coupling of music and sports; the presentation of Jamaica as an exotic destination for running; and also exposing our technical skills and excellent volunteer runner care.


4. Any new plans for future events?

For our tenth anniversary this year, we are offering a special Beach Party as our Victory Party event. This will take place at Long Bay Beach Park in Negril at the same time of the race event.

5. I have deliberately asked all my interviews this question, and I am going to ask you too Alfred - In your opinion, what makes Jamaica special?

Definitely our people !

6. You have done some tremendous work with the Reggae Marathon since inception, what legacy would you like to leave behind?

We are working to make ourselves redundant - Reggae Marathon is a fantastic template. The template and necessary skills needed to execute are all recorded and available for our successors.

7. Thank you so much for your time Alfred, we at My-Island-Jamaica.com continue to wish for you and yours the very best, just one final question, how can interested persons join in this worthy initiative?

Visit our website at www.reggaemarathon.com. Registration is open until the day before the event on Dec 4th in Negril. Details of online registration are available from the website. For additional information, please write c/o racedirector@reggaemarathon.com or call 876-922-8673.

Thanks once again for this opportunity, we also send our best to you and all at My-island-Jamaica.com.

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You can't help feeling the passion Alfred has for running, can't we? Let's wish him - another Kingston College (KC) brother, the best of luck in his endeavours.

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