fbpx ;

Tropical Races to Beat the Winter Blues

Even if you’re the world’s biggest fan of sweater weather, it’s fair to say that sometimes, it’s really nice to get a break from the cold at some point during the winter.

And you know what’s even better than getting away to a tropical paradise? Getting away to a tropical paradise where you can run a race! I’ve pulled together a few Caribbean getaways you might want to consider this winter below.

The KLM Curaçao Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10k all take runners over the historic (and gorgeous) floating Queen Emma Bridge — and there are plenty of other water views, too! Photo courtesy of KLM Curaçao Marathon

(If you’re not necessarily up for international travel this year but think Florida sounds like a fine idea, maybe you’ll want to join me at Getaway St. Pete on November 3! It has a 5k, 10k, and 15k, along with a Fun Run for kids! They’re sponsoring my entry, and offering a discount to FBG readers — FBG10. Keep an eye on our social channels like @FitBottomedGirl for more deets. Hope to see you there!)

KLM Curaçao Marathon (and more), November 24, 2019

My finisher’s medal — and the real prize at the finish line of the Curaçao half marathon!

With a 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon, as well as a 9.7k trail run, the KLM Curaçao Marathon event is certainly one to consider — and you can trust me when I say this, because I ran the half last year as a guest of the Curaçao Tourist Board. It’s a great place to go with a group since there’s a distance for everyone (and there’s so much to do besides running), and the logistics were quite simple because nearly everyone speaks English and the US dollar is widely accepted.

Run Barbados Marathon Weekend, December 6-8, 2019

JetSetSarah and her bling!

You might remember reading about our friend JetSetSarah’s experience with the Run Barbados series, which features a 1-mile race, a 5k, and a half marathon — with a challenge option that gets you a sweet bonus medal if you do all three! She says this destination, while pricey, is one of the Caribbean’s most Instagram-worthy spots.

Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k, December 8, 2019

Who can turn down a post-race dance party? Photo courtesy of Reggae Marathon

Negril, Jamaica might be enough of a draw on its own, but the Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k is consistently ranked as a top race to run, partly because of the gorgeous course and excellent organization of the event, but also because, guys, it’s Jamaica — they have a lot of fun before, during, and after the run. Considering how much I loved my trip to Jamaica for the Kingston City Run last year (which, by the way, has a marathon, half marathon, 10k, and 5k and will take place on March 15, 2020 — so, Spring Break, anyone?), there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll check Reggae off my list in the next few years.

Marathon Bahamas, January 18-19, 2020

Not only does Marathon Bahamas offer a full and half marathon, along with a 5k the day prior, but it also boasts a marathon relay where teams of four people can each take a leg to cover 26.2 miles — which is exactly what I’ll be doing with my husband and a group of friends a few days before my 40th birthday this January! And, for those of you wondering about visiting the area after Hurricane Dorian, there are two important things to know. First, the race takes place on Nassau, which was not affected by the storm. And second, a great way to show support to the islands that were hit by Dorian is to travel to the islands like Nassau; many of the businesses there have done a lot to show support to their neighbors, so your tourism dollars can do a lot of good.

Want to feel fully prepped for your Caribbean adventure? Make sure to catch our podcast ep with JetSetSarah, where she shares her top travel tips along with her love of the islands.

Where are my fellow race-cation lovers? What’s your dream destination for a race to cure the winter blues? —Kristen

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Comments

2 Comments
  1. Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this site.

    I was able to find good information from your blog articles.

Comments are closed.