Every November, Havana welcomes runners from around the globe to the Marabana Marathon, Cuba’s premier running event and one of the most unique races in the world. Since its founding in 1987, Marabana has grown into a festival of sport and culture, attracting elite athletes, amateur runners, and curious travelers who want to experience the city at its most alive.
Run Through History of Marabana Marathon
Choose your distance—42km, 21km, 10km, or 5km—and lace up for a journey that is more than a race. The course winds through Havana’s most iconic neighborhoods:
- Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a UNESCO World Heritage treasure where colonial facades line cobblestone streets.
- The National Capitol, whose grand dome rivals its Washington namesake.
- The Plaza de la Revolución, with its monument to José Martí, a national hero whose vision of independence still inspires Cubans today.
- The Sports City, where Cuban athletic spirit is celebrated.
With every step, you pass centuries of history, architecture, and culture, all while cheered on by locals lining the streets.
More Than a Marathon
Marabana is also about celebration. Music drifts from balconies, drummers beat out conga rhythms, and Havana’s warmth—both the weather and the people—fills the air. The day before the race, Cuba also hosts Maracuba, a simultaneous running event across the entire island. More than one million Cubans of all ages run 3,000 or 4,000 meters in their own communities, making it the largest running event in the country and a true expression of national unity.
The Cuban Adventures Team
Every year, Cuban Adventures forms a team, and anyone is welcome to join. Together, we run, we cheer, and after the finish line, we celebrate with a team lunch. For every kilometer run, we also donate $1 to CeDA, a Cuban animal welfare charity—making every step a contribution to something meaningful.
Havana Beyond the Finish Line
After the race, the city invites you to slow down. Wander the plazas of Old Havana, sip a mojito on the Malecón as the sun sets, or take a day trip to the nearby beaches of Playas del Este. Havana’s rhythm doesn’t end at the finish line—it continues in its streets, music, and people.
And for those who savor travel rituals, there’s no better way to reflect on your marathon than with a fine cigar. After testing body and mind over 42 kilometers, I reach for a Montecristo No. 2 or a Trinidad Fundadores—both offering a slow, smooth burn, the perfect encore to the day’s effort. Paired with a cool Cuban beer or a glass of añejo rum, it transforms recovery into celebration.
Why Run Marabana?
Because this isn’t just a marathon—it’s a living journey through Cuba’s capital, an immersion in history, music, and culture where every runner is welcomed like family. Whether you’re chasing a personal record, walking the 5k, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Marabana is proof that in Havana, sport and culture run side by side.
So pack your running shoes, bring your spirit, and come see why Marabana is truly the most tropical marathon in the world.
