1) Maratón San Blas • Coamo, Puerto Rico
As many as 1,000 runners from 20 countries or more make the trip to Puerto Rico each winter for the San Blas Half Marathon, which unfolds past historic sites (including where the U.S. invaded in 1898) and across the Manuel Méndez Vigo bridge over the Las Minas River.
Early February • More race info »
2) KLM Curaçao Half Marathon • Willemstad, Curaçao
Profiled here by Natalie DiBlasio last December, the Curaçao Half Marathon offers up stunning views of the island’s brightly colored homes and tree-filled neighborhoods, as well as stretches “accompanied by rooster sounds, wagging tails of stray dogs, and … the sounds of crashing waves.”
Late November • More race info »
3) Punta Cana Half Marathon • Dominican Republic
This fast and flat half runs almost entirely within the Punta Cana Resort along Tortuga Bay on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, and features a stretch along the beach around the midpoint of the race. Its 26.2-miler is also a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Mid April
4) Let’s Go Haiti Half Marathon • Haiti
Billed by organizers as “the Race for a Better Tomorrow,” the Let’s Go Haiti Marathon & Half is part of this Caribbean nation’s years-long effort to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake. While it lies just 3 1/2 hours from the U.S., Haiti is worlds away in so many ways — and that’s exactly what the race seeks to change.
Mid January • More race info »
5) Bahamas Half Marathon & 10K • Nassau, Bahamas
In a previous issue, we highlighted the Marathon Bahamas — but realized this race deserved highlighting too. You’ll start and finish along the northern coastline of Arawak Cay, and run along stunning blue water for nearly the entire 13.1 miles.
Late November • More race info »
6) Havana Half Marathon • Havana, Cuba
Though the future may bring easier access to this island nation, for now it’s limited to those from countries who maintain ties with Cuba — a list that doesn’t include the U.S. But if you can get there, it’s like a trip back in time, with a gorgeous race route that starts and finishes at Havana’s Paseo del Prado.
Mid November • More race info »
7) Virgin Gorda Half Marathon • British Virgin Islands
If you’re looking for the opposite of a big-city, “Rock ‘n’ Roll”-style race, this fits the bill. From the starting line in Spanish Town, this hilly race features stretches past Neil Bay and “the Baths,” a series of unique rock formations on the beach near Spring Bay, which formed from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.
Early May • More race info »
8) Bermuda Day Half Marathon • St. George’s, Bermuda
Held on the Bermuda holiday much like our 4th of July, the Bermuda Day Half Marathon starts on the northeastern tip of the island in St. George’s, its first permanent British settlement, and runs all the way into Hamilton, its capital and largest city. Along the way, you’ll run past many of the island’s unique white-roofed homes and pastel colors.
Late May • More race info »
9) Run Barbados Half Marathon • Bridgetown, Barbados
You’ll run an out-and-back route almost entirely along the oceanfront at the Run Barbados Half Marathon, which starts and finishes in this Lesser Antilles island nation’s biggest city, in an area widely known for its cooling trade winds that make it a popular spot for windsurfing and wave sailing.
Early December • More race info »
10) Semi Marathon International • Martinique
More than 90,000 people called the bayside city of Fort de France home, and it’s where you’ll start and finish this scenic race, which saw more than 700 finishers last year. While you’re there, organizers recommend staying in either Saint-Anne, where “turquoise water caresses white sandy beaches,” or at the northern end of the island, known for its “tropical forests, rivers and waterfalls.”
Early October • More race info »
11) Cayman Islands Half Marathon • George Town, Cayman Islands
Run mostly through George Town on Grand Cayman Island, this December race features stretches through residential areas like South Sound, filled with multi-million-dollar homes and stunning views of the ocean, as well as through the heart of the island’s financial district.
Early December • More race info »
