FAQs – Kingston City Marathon

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is the Kingston City Marathon?

The Kingston City Marathon will be hosted in the city of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, W.I.. Kingston is the largest English-speaking city south of Miami, a UNESCO Creative City for Music and home to the Bob Marley Museum. The event will take place in section of what is commonly called “New Kingston.”

2. Who can enter?

The race is open to everybody – locals, regional and international participants are all welcome!

3. When is the Kingston City Marathon?

The event will take place over the weekend of March 13 – 15, 2020. The Race Day is Sunday, March 15th. The Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K starts at 4:30 a.m. and the 5K Race now starts at 7:00 a.m. The race start line is on Knutsford Boulevard adjacent to Emancipation Park and within walking distance of numerous Kingston hotels for the Marathon l Half Marathon and 10K (starting at 4:30 am) with the 5K starting on Trafalgar Road (adjacent to NCB atrium) at 7:00 a,m.

4. How will the races be timed?

All four races will be timed using bib chip timing.

5. If I am a visitor, how do you get to Kingston, Jamaica?

The main international airport is the Norman Manley International and this airport is serviced by several international airlines including American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Jet Blue, West Jet, Air Canada Rouge , British Airways, Copa, Delta, Spirit and Insel Air. The airport to the main hotel area is about 20 minutes by car. You can also use the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and book either a private car or coach transfer to Kingston. The ride to Kingston is approximately 3 hours.

6. Are there accommodation packages being offered?

Yes, special accommodation weekend packages are being offered by Kingston hotels including Altamont Court, The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, The Jamaica Pegasus, The Knutsford Court Hotel, Hotel Four Seasons, Christar Villas, The Spanish Court Hotel, Liguanea Club, The R Hotel, AC Hotel, Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel and The Courtyard by Marriott.

7. Are prizes being offered?

Yes, there will be several sectional prizes including Top Male, Top Female, Age Group Prizes for Male and Female, Fastest Mascot among others. Over 70 prize categories will be offered.

8. Is there any special charitable cause?

Yes, the Kingston City Marathon for 2020 will again be focusing on providing sustainable support for the Homeless population of Kingston and Jamaica.

9. How many water stops will there be?

For the 5K there will be 3 water/hydration stops, for the 10K there will be 6 and for the 1/2 marathon and marathon there will be a total of 12 stops. Note that as the marathon is a loop course, 12 stops will actually double as 24.

10. What are the time limits for the 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon?

All Races are open for 6 Hours. However, you must start the race within 15 minutes of the official start time. We also suggest planning to arrive early for before the official race start time to take advantage of the warm up sessions.

11. What are the rules for running or walking in the races?

If you sign up for the run , you can run or walk. If you signed up for a walk, you cannot run.

12. Is the terrain mostly flat or are there many inclines?

For the 5K it is all flat. For the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, the course is mainly flat but the elevation differential is approx. 130m. Inclines are steady on the first half of the half loop and decline on the return.

13. If you sign up for the Marathon and can’t make the time, do you get awarded the Half Marathon medal and time or do you get nothing? Same for Half Marathon, if you can’t complete, do you get the 10K medal instead.

Yes, that is correct.

14. Are there cut off times for all of the races where you have to be past a certain location before a certain time in order not to get swept off of the road? Example: be over a bridge before noon if it has to be reopened to traffic.

For the marathon, we recommend 3 hours to get to the half way mark or you would be cut and not allowed to head out for the second loop.

15. What time should I get to the Race on Race Day?

As many access roads will be closed or partially closed we strongly suggest you get to the race well ahead of the start times for your event. Minimum 30 minutes prior.

16. Where do I park if I am driving?

Parking is available at the KSAMC parking lots on St. Lucia Avenue as well as the KSAMC parking lots on Grenada Crescent. Limited parking is also available at Liguanea Club (this requires a really early arrival as most of Knutsford Boulevard will be closed by 3:30 am)

17. Which roads will be affected by the race?

We will begin at approximately 4:00 a.m. and end at approximately 11:00 a.m. The route will go through New Kingston and end at Emancipation Park. For full details of the route click here: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon

In order to facilitate this event, the following roads will be closed and/or have limited access on the above date between the hours of 4:15 am and 11:00 am.

Knutsford Boulevard Trafalgar Road

Sections of Hope Road Devon Close

Kingsway West Kings House Road

Lady Musgrave Road East Kings House Road

Paddington Drive Barbican Road

Charlemont Road Gibson Drive

Ardenne Road Hamilton Drive

Lord Nelson Way

Please note we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we look forward to your understanding and support as we work towards positioning Kingston as the sports, entertainment and cultural capital of the Caribbean.

18. Can I come out and cheer on the runners?

COME OUT AND CHEER:

Yes, we are also encouraging all Kingstonians to come out and cheer on the runners as they pass through your neighbourhood. We will be having fan zones at Devon House, JHTA office (2 Ardenne Road, Hope Gardens and Eden Gardens Hotel (Lady Musgrave). Feel free to join us at one of the official zones or just cheer them on anywhere on the route!

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MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR!

No course is more family friendly! With the Kingston City Run offering a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K you can make it a family affair where the more serious runners can take on the more challenging event while the casual/fun runner can participate in the 5K Walk/Run!

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