Run, Don’t Walk to Havana’s Annual Marathon This November

The 2012 Marabana Havana Marathon gives Americans the chance to run side by side with Cubans and an international crew of amateur and top runners.

Marabana Havana Marathon runners. Image: Alejandro Ernesto

The political rhetoric surrounding Cuba is always hotter than a habañero chili, but one fact is indisputable: Cuba is an amazing destination and it’s easier to go now for Americans than it has been for a decade. Insight Cuba, a US-based non-profit that organizes trips to the island nation, takes care of all the special licenses that allow you to travel, so all you have to worry about is practicing your Spanish and getting in shape for the marathon. But you don’t have to work too hard: The Marabana Havana Marathon offers a fun-run (or walk) if you would rather just put it all on cruise control, even though it’s one of the Caribbean’s top sporting events and a full 26.2 mile marathon that attracts a top crew of runners from around the world.

Either way, as a participant you will enjoy an amazing way to see Cuba’s capital city as the course winds its way past the historic buildings of Old Havana, Havana Harbor with it’s imposing colonial-era fort, and along the famous seawall and esplanade, the Malecon. In addition to the marathon, you’ll also have the chance to participate in exclusive people-to-people encounters, which will include meetings with both Cuban runners and disabled athletes. Informative tours of the University of Sports “Manuel Fajardo” and Sports Medicine Institute in Havana will also be featured.

Insight Cuba’s November 15-19 Marabana Havana Marathon program includes:
•    Marathon entry fee
•    Medical check-up
•    Most meals, including a marathon pasta lunch on Saturday afternoon**
•    Superior first-class hotel accommodations in Havana
•    Cuban host to facilitate all marathon details and people-to-people activities
•    All entrance fees to scheduled activities and events
•    All in-country ground transportation and transfers
•    U.S. Treasury Department license and Letter of Authorization
•    Travel insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance and medical trip cancellation coverage

Prices for the five-night Marabana Havana Marathon program are $1,995 per person double occupancy; $2,295 single occupancy. Runners may participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K. Space is limited. For more information on the Havana Marathon program and other Insight Cuba travel programs, visit www.insightcuba.com or call 1-800-450-CUBA (2822).