Montserrat Volcano Half-Marathon and fun run

November 3, 9:51 AMWorldwide Travel ExaminerMark Resnicoff

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   Sourfriere Hills Volcano eruption – jpre86 (Flickr Creative Commons)

The island nation of Montserrat known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, will be conducting its first ever Volcano Half-Marathon on December 5, 2009. The 13.1-mile event, which also includes a shorter five-mile fun run, is part of the island’s Christmas Festival celebrations.

The Montserrat Volcano Half-Marathon is being conducted by the Montserrat Tourist Board, in collaboration with the Montserrat Volcano Observatory and the Fittest Man Running Club. The event includes a hilly13.1-mile half-marathon course with spectacular views of the sea and a five-mile fun run for less agile runners and walkers.

The half-marathon route will pass several key tourist attractions, including the active Sourfriere Hills Volcano and areas previously impacted by the volcano. Runners will also pass by the entrance to Air Studios, a facility where music has been recorded by legends such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. Other sites along the route include the Montserrat Cultural Center and the Belham River Valley, which is covered in volcanic rubble.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first three overall winners of the half-marathon:

• First place: EC$1,000 (approximately $367 US)
• Second place: EC$750 (approximately $275 US)
• Third place: EC$500 (approximately $184 US)

The first female and first youth finishers will also receive EC$500. The first runner to complete the fun run will receive EC$150 (approximately $55 US) and the first walker to complete the course will win EC$100 (approximately $37 US).

Water stops will be provided and medical staff will be available to assist runners, if necessary.

Registration for the half-marathon is EC$50 for residents and EC$80 for non-residents. The fee includes a t-shirt, gift items and a souvenir medal made of volcanic material.

Surplus proceeds from the event will be donated to three Montserrat charities: Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels and the Golden Years Retirement Home.