KINGSTON, Jamaica — One year after relocating from Negril to Kingston, the Reggae Marathon is further embedding itself within Jamaica’s capital city through a significant venue change that organizers believe will strengthen the event’s cultural identity and tourism appeal.
The 26th staging of the internationally recognized race event will now operate from Devon House, placing one of Jamaica’s largest participatory sporting events within one of the country’s most historically significant locations.
Registration is officially open for local and overseas participants.
The decision marks another milestone in the marathon’s ongoing transition following its departure from Negril after 24 years.
Devon House occupies a unique place in Jamaica’s historical landscape.
Constructed by George Stiebel in the late nineteenth century, the property remains a symbol of Jamaican achievement and heritage while serving as a major attraction within Kingston.
For organizers, integrating Devon House into the race experience reflects broader efforts to showcase Kingston’s cultural offerings while strengthening the marathon’s connection to Jamaica’s national identity.
Kingston first hosted the event in 2025 during the Reggae Marathon’s 25th anniversary year.
The move represented a major shift for one of Jamaica’s strongest sports tourism assets and created new opportunities to introduce visitors to urban tourism experiences beyond the island’s traditional resort offerings.
Kingston’s concentration of historical sites, entertainment venues and cultural institutions positions it uniquely within Jamaica’s tourism product.
Organizers have emphasized plans to build on the excitement generated during last year’s staging.
The capital city’s role as the birthplace of reggae music also remains central to the event.
That connection carries additional significance following UNESCO’s 2018 recognition of reggae music as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The marathon continues to attract participants from overseas markets while providing opportunities for members of the Jamaican diaspora to reconnect with the island through sport, culture and community engagement.
The Reggae Marathon team recently returned to Negril to distribute hurricane relief support totaling approximately J$1 million to volunteer groups that supported the event during its years in western Jamaica.
