Reggae Marathon Challenge winners (from left) Earl Stewart, Kenisha Griffiths and Diana Blake-Bennett fitting their Puma running shoes at Western Sports in Twin Gates Plaza. The shoes were donated courtesy of The Gleaner and Western Sports. - Contributed

What do Kenisha Griffiths, Diana Blake-Bennett and Earl Stewart have in common? On December 1, 2007, they will be taking up The Gleaner Reggae Marathon/Half Marathon Challenge in Negril.

Their stories and goals are different, but all three recognise the importance of good health and developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Ready for the Challenge

"My desire is to practise a healthy lifestyle, to eat right, exercise and lose weight as I am presently overweight and very unfit," notes Kenisha, who will be running the half marathon. "My eating habits, transportation and lack of time, I work five days a week and I have classes on two of those evenings," she explained as the culprits of her current situation.

She currently jogs two days per week with a team from the Ministry of Health and the Environment. "The team enters races and walkathons and I normally enter the walkathons. Recently there was a 5K run at Emancipation Park and after gaining 10 pounds in about a week, I decided to run.

"Throughout the race I ran and walked and eventually crossed the finish line in about 53 minutes. I was very proud of myself for having finished. I actually gave myself a pat on the back. I know I probably have a long way to go to achieve my desired weight but I know I am ready for the challenge and I am determined to do it. I have the support of my entire family."

Major Medical Issues

Diana's story is one of major medical issues. "I am a 37-year-old mother of four-year-old twins. I was recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and I have been hypertensive since the birth of my children. I am also 50 pounds overweight. With all of this, I am at risk for several major medical issues," she explained.

She has decided to take the challenge and do something about her health before it is too late. "I am at the point where lifestyle changes are now a necessity, not an option, if I want to be around to see my grandchildren. I currently have quite a heavy workload along with raising a young family," Diana states.

She sees the marathons as "the kind of challenge that will help me make the commitment to the lifestyle change that I must make."

A Very Competitive Nature

Earl Stewart is no stranger to road races. As a matter of fact, he proudly states that since 1999, "I have been participating in the Sigma Run/Walk road races and on several occasions I have been placed in the top 100, 200 and 300 walking. It is a not-to-be-missed sporting event on my calendar."

Earl is so proud of his accomplishments that he has kept all the bib numbers that he has worn in the races. "Throughout the year I practise running and walking from Hellshire to Braeton Hill in Portmore which is about 7K. Every Saturday morning at about 6:30 you can see me making my way."

He likes walking and also believes in being proactive. "I always tell my friends, 'don't let the doctor tell you to exercise', because at that time, it is too late."

This year, Earl is motivated to participate because "I have a very competitive nature and I would love to take on the challenge of the Half Marathon" and take his fitness to a higher level.