Run Barbados Marathon & Wellness Weekend Celebrates 43 Years

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) officially announced the 2026 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend, scheduled for 3–7 December 2026. Now in its 43rd year, the event features the Caribbean’s longest-running marathon and combines World Athletics-Certified road racing with community spirit, wellness, scenic landscapes, and the warmth of Barbadian culture, attracting participants of all abilities from around the world.

The weekend racing events include a pirate-themed Fun Mile, 5K Walk, 5K Run, 10 K, 12 K Hike, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. Racecourses follow a scenic waterfront route through Barbados’ UNESCO World Heritage Site of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. To give marathon runners a cooler experience, the Marathon will start at 2:00 a.m., down from the traditional 5:00 a.m. start time. The overall prize pool will nearly double from BBD $72,800 (USD $36,400) in 2025 to BBD $134,100 (USD $67,050) in 2026. Caribbean prizes will also be introduced in 2026 to encourage more participation from the regional market.

Aligned with the Government’s Tourism 3.0 Strategy, organisers are focused on creating opportunities for community participation. “Our goal is to champion community health, culture, and sustainable economic growth, while using the power of sport to build meaningful cross-cultural connections,” said Cheryl Carter, Chief Operations Officer at BTMI. “We are enlisting local run clubs, businesses, schools, and gyms through pop-up events, fitness challenges, and media activations. Deepening local engagement is vital to creating an unforgettable experience for Barbadians and visitors alike,” she added.

This marks the second year that curated wellness offerings have been woven into the weekend, including a rainforest bath, moonlight bonfire, Pilates, spa packages, yoga, and a scenic 12K hike through St. Philip, alongside wellness specials and packages from local businesses. By pairing competitive road racing with locally led wellness experiences, the event reflects Barbados’ emergence as a leading destination in global wellness tourism, an industry projected to reach approximately US$1.35 trillion by 2028, according to data from Statista.

AIMS and World Athletics certified event racecourses in 2025. “This certification means results achieved on these courses can be used to qualify for the Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major events,” said Kamal Springer, Sports Manager at BTMI. “This distinction elevates the event’s appeal for competitive runners from around the world,” he continued. The prize increases apply to the events visitors primarily register for, such as the 10K run, half marathon, and marathon.

“Forty-three years on, it is inspiring to see the weekend continue to grow. In 2025, we welcomed a record 2,600 participants from 36 countries across five continents, and strong support from the local community. With AIMS and World Athletics certification now in place, we are well positioned to continue that growth and look forward to an even better RBC Run Barbados in 2026,” said Zary Evelyn, event race coordinator.

Races will offer expanded age categories, with 5K divisions for ages 8 and under, 9–12, 13–15, 16–20, and adults, and 10K divisions for ages 13 and under, 14–16, 17–20, and adults. The Royal Bank of Canada is the event’s title sponsor for 2026. “RBC is excited to be part of Run Barbados again and to return as title sponsor. Our support goes beyond a corporate checkbox; it reflects our commitment to helping communities thrive and supporting events that bring people together,” said Shimon McIntosh, Managing Director for RBC Barbados.

Participants may register online at www.raceroster.com or in person at any Nature’s Discount location. Runners can avoid late fees by registering before November 9, 2026. Both online and in-person registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on December 1, 2026.