It is now over 50 years since Fidel Castro and Che Guevara marched into Havana to start the modern Cuba - and this fabulous Trail Marathon and Half Marathon, in its 5th year, traces the start of the revolution in the south.
The revolution started when Castro and Guevara landed in the pleasure yacht The Granma, which they purchased in Mexico, on the coast of south eastern Cuba and launched the guerrilla struggle against the Batista regime. It is this struggle that inspired the creation of this exceptional marathon experience.
The history of the fight in the Sierra Maestra is clear to be seen and you can follow many of the trails that Fidel, Che Guevara and the other guerrilla fighters hacked their way through for two years. The marathon and half marathon runs in the challenging foothills of the Sierra Maestra, through the beautiful tropical mountains of eastern Cuba, with spectacular views of the Caribbean glistening temptingly below.
The start is at the resort hotel located on a quiet isolated bay and the finish in the small village of Marea. In between you will run through isolated communities and farms growing coffee and mango through the hills - it's quite something to be told by the local guides that the farmer at check-point 4 was a well known collaborator - even better that they all come out of the farms to cheer you on.
We are working closely with the local Cuban Tour Operator Cubanacan to bring you this unique Trail Marathon and we have an excellent two centre holiday combining the bustle of Havana with the remote quiet of Marea del Portillo.
BOOK THIS HOLIDAY ONLINE
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
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Travel Package
Feb 13: Morning flight with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick to Havana . Over night on B&B basis in Havana in 4-star Telegrafo hotel or similar located in the heart of the historic old city.
Feb 14: Morning easy run on the Malacon - the famous sea front area of Havana. City tour of Havana including the rum factory, cigar factory, Old Havana, and Capitolo. Lunch at a local restaurant and a welcome dinner in a typical Havana restaurant this evening.
Feb 15: Transfer to Havana Airport for the morning internal flight to Holguin Airport and transfer to Marea del Portillo on the remote Sierra Meastra coastline (approx 4hr drive). Arrangements are on full board including all drinks.
Feb 16: Free time to relax by the pool or on the beach
Feb 17: Recce walk on part of the marathon route - approx 12km very hilly.
Feb 18: Morning easy run then visit a private Coral Island for a relaxing day with sun loungers, peddlows and canoes on the brilliant white beach, enjoy a BBQ lunch then back to the hotel. In the late afternoon we go over to the tiny village library in Marea del Portillo to meet the local runners and for registration.
Feb 19: You are invited this morning to help with the children's races in the local village and serve the kiddies party afterwards. Pasta party and race briefing at the hotel in the evening.
Feb 20: Early morning start of the races from the hotel at Marea del Portillo and finishing in the village. In the early evening we join all the local runners for a beach party and for prize giving, sharing rum and dancing. Dinner at the hotel.
Feb 21: At leisure in Marea - optional excursion on horse back.
Feb 22: Transfer to Holguin Airport and flight to Havana. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Telegrafo or similar in Havana Old City.
Feb 23: Morning at leisure in Havana for last minute shopping. Afternoon transfer to Jose Marti Airport for the return Virgin Atlantic flight to Gatwick.
Feb 24: Morning arrival in Gatwick.
ADD-ONS FROM HAVANA
Why not move on from Havana to the beach resort of Varedero for 3 nights and take the next flight with Virgin Atlantic back to the UK so you have a full 2 week holiday- we have a package staying on an an all inclusive basis in the very comfortable superior 4-star Melia Hotel Varedero. The Melia hotel is located on the beach and close to the 18-hole golf course, new shopping Mall and Convention centre. Taxi transfers from Havana to the hotel and Hotel to Havana Airport are included.
if you want to stay a little longer and enjoy the marvelous semi-tropical areas to the west of Havana we can recommend visiting either Soroa or Vinales - two areas of natural beauty with a wealth of bird life and ideal for walking. Please contact us for add-on options.
The tours are escorted throughout by local guides and we enjoy fantastic cooperation from the local Cubanacan staff in Marea to put the race on. Additionally we will be joined by Gareth Jenkins and Hilda Bario who have written or produced many books on Cuba, Havana, Che Guevara and Fiedel Castro. Hilda is Cuban and her grandfather owned a sugar mill near Manzinillo, close to the starting place of the revolution, which was given up to the state and she has first hand experience of the post-revolution period.
BOOK THIS HOLIDAY ONLINE
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
Run this event for charity.
In Portillo we will be staying at Marea del Portillo Hotel or it's sister hotel the Farallon del Caribe Hotel on Fully inclusive board basis. The hotels are of 3-star standard and both overlook the beautiful Playa Marea del Portillo with the lush vegetation of the Sierra Maestra Mountains rising behind. All rooms have bathrooms en suite and colour TV. There are swimming pools at both hotels and both are on the beach where you will also find the beach bars.
In Havana we will be using the Telegrafo Hotel, which has been rebuilt out of one of the historic buildings of Havana. This 4-star hotel has incorporated some of the facade and elegant arches of the old building into the bar area. All rooms have bathrooms en suite, air conditioning and satelite TV. There is a pleasant atrium bar and a breakfast room that is also open during the day along with the street side coffee lounge for excellent Cuban coffee and snacks.
On the Varedero Extension we will be staying at the superior 4-star Melia Hotal Varedero. Located on the beach close to the 18-hole golf course, new shopping Mall and Convention centre.
BOOK THIS HOLIDAY ONLINE
Run this event for charity.
2:09 Events Travel Essentials - Large Duffel Bag, Document Belt, 2:09 Training Technical T-Shirt, 2:09 CoolMax Running Socks
PRICES PER PERSON |
TWIN |
SINGLE |
Full Package including flights from Gatwick |
£1879 |
£1979 |
Per person |
Package without flights from Gatwick |
£1379 |
£1489 |
Per person |
Additional nights in Havana |
£50 |
£68 |
Per night |
3-night extension Melia Varedero |
£385 |
£569 |
Per person |
Deposit |
£300 |
per person |
All prices include the costs for local staff and race administration/organisation in addition to the travel and accommodation costs - this allows us to sponsor the local runners to take part (otherwise they couldn't) and organise a special schools run for the local children.
There is no seperate entry fee and no entry only option.
