1) 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.
Sun, Apr 2
2) Virgin Gorda Half Marathon • British Virgin Islands
If you’re looking for the opposite of a big-city 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.
Sat, May 27
3) Run in Paradise Half Marathon • Antigua & Barbuda
Starting from the western end of this West Indies island, you’ll follow a mostly flat 13.1 miles from the Caribbean to the Atlantic Ocean, where you’ll feel the sea breeze blowing in around the middle stretches of the race.
Sun, May 28 • Race info & signup »
4) Run For Pompey Half Marathon • George Town, Bahamas
Run through the largest city on this chain of more than 380 islands in the Bahamas, this race honors the memory of a man whose actions led to the emancipation of slaves on this Atlantic island nation.
Sat, Oct 7 • Race info & signup »
5) 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.
Sun, Nov 19 • Race info & signup »
6) Semi Marathon International • Martinique
More than 90,000 people call the bayside city of Fort de France home, and it’s where you’ll start and finish this scenic race, where “turquoise water caresses white sandy beaches,” organizers say.
Late November • Race info & signup »
7) Curacao Half Marathon • Willemstad, Curacao
Profiled here by HalfMarathons.Net’s Natalie DiBlasio, 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.”
Sun, Nov 26 • Race info & signup »
8) 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.
Sun, Dec 3 • Race info & signup »
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.
Sun, Dec 3 • Race info & signup »
10) Let’s Go Haiti Half Marathon • Port-au-Prince, 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-February • Race info & signup »
