This month Havana welcomes a feast dedicated to sports, good health and general wellness. On the 18th of November this fantastic city will host the Marabana marathon in three different modalities: 42 km, half marathon 21 km, 10 km race and a 5km walk along with the possibility for handicapped participants (blind, deaf and wheel chair runners).
The runners’ pathway will constitute a circuit that roams very singular areas of the Cuban capital, such as the beautiful and enigmatic Old Havana. It also includes great architectural milestones spread throughout the city such as the palatial National Capitol, singular monuments, Spanish era fortresses, the Revolution square, sumptuous avenues, the famous malecón (seawall), the City of Sports complex and many other culturally rich locations that have witnessed important historical events shaping Havana’s character along the way.
Marabana comes at an absolute perfect time since it is preceded by another popular marathon the day before. It is a sports celebration surrounded by other neighbouring festivities; it coincides with the commemoration in Cuba of the National Day of Sports and Physical Culture on the 19th in which various sports and recreational activities take place all over the country. On top of it all it’ll happen just two days after Havana’s birthday, celebrated on the 16th, date around which the capital, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO as tradition marks will be filled with activities praising its 499th anniversary.
The order of the day at the Marabana marathon as always is massiveness as Cubans are very prone to practising sports be it amateur, professional or just for some exercise. The main city of the largest of the Antilles will shelter prestigious world runners during this party of sports. Around 5000 participants from over 50 countries are expected to run in one of the most charming cities in the world; they come mostly from the USA, France, Mexico, Spain and Germany.
