The 2007 Reggae Marathon Challenge winners (from left) Earl Stewart, Kenisha Griffiths and Dianna Blake-Bennett after fitting their Puma running shoes at Western Sports in Twin Gates Plaza. - Contributed

Many persons would love to run a marathon but often think, "if only I had the time". But those who actually do speak of an immense sense of accomplishment. They will also tell you that the health benefits are priceless.

So how does one really commit to training for and actually running this most demanding of sporting events while juggling job, family and other commitments? Those who have succeeded say it's all about planning, linking with others of like mind, making a timetable and sticking to it.

Take mother of twins and marketing manager at Burger King, Dianna Blake-Bennett. She proudly boasts of participating in the Reggae Marathon and completing the Half Marathon last year. According to Bennett, "A big part of actually going through with the plan to run the half marathon is determination. First, you have to want to do it and then you must make up your mind to finish what you started."

Motivation

For her, the motivation was the quest for a healthier lifestyle. "It's not easy to balance the needs of a young family and a demanding job. I found that I was spending a lot of time managing activities at work and home but not enough time on exercise. I decided to test myself by doing the Half Marathon and took the plunge when I saw the advertisement for The Gleaner Reggae Marathon Challenge. I wrote in and was overjoyed to discover that I was one of the persons chosen."

Completing what she started involved better time management by planning ahead, getting up a bit earlier, and literally making the time to "take care of me". Dianna also attributes a big part of her success to group support. "I joined the Jamdammers running club of Kingston and they provided the structure of set training times. We trained on Saturday mornings for a few hours and the fellowship at breakfast afterwards gave me added incentive.

"Working with Jamdammers helped me to develop a concrete plan for training, gave me professional coaching and the support of others was great motivation. The tips from Jamdammers have also helped me to develop a new healthy lifestyle focus."

The thrill

According to Alfred 'Frano' Francis, race director of Reggae Marathon and a marathon runner himself, "completing a long-distance run, especially a marathon, really leaves one with a sense of satisfaction and the support of others who are on the same mission is key.

"Working with Jamdammers helps participants to better organise their time and gives focus and direction in terms of training and the goals they have to accomplish," Francis says.

On Saturday, December 6, those who have made the commitment to challenge themselves by participating in the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K in Negril will experience the thrill of long-distance running for the first time. Dianna Blake-Bennett is confident that for them it will be a "life-changing experience".