Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Michelle Belnavis (left) and Denise Dixon training for Reggae Marathon, last year. - Contributed

After taking up the challenge last year to participate in the Jamdammers Reggae Marathon, Denise Dixon and Michelle Belnavis are now firm believers in healthy living.

Dixon, who finished the half marathon, hasn't lost a step. "It was the start of a change in lifestyle. I have continued to try and run most Saturdays and I've even lost some weight," she said. She doesn't remember where she placed but she finished, and for her, that was the important thing. She recommends the experience to anyone as she feels that apart from the physical benefits, it gets you to interact with hundreds of persons which keeps you going.

"If you do it by yourself, you might not finish. The camaraderie definitely helps," she pointed out. "You feel so much better, especially in a stressful job. So it's all pluses for me," she adds. She thought about running this year but has decided to be a volunteer with Jamdammers.

Jamdammer member

Michelle Belnavis echoed Dixon's sentiments about helping out with the Jamdammers programmes. In fact, she's now a member of the group.

"The marathon hit home to me how important it is to keep fit," she says. Apart from running with the Jamdammers on Saturdays, she also does a little running in the week. She is pleased with the weight she has lost. "My diet has always been critical to me but I have added a few things to it," she revealed. Since last year, she has been encouraging other persons to take up the challenge and has participated in other runs this year, including the Sigma Corporate Fund Run.