It is now over 50 years since Fidel Castro and Che Guevara marched into Havana in 1959 and established the government that set about creating the modern Cuba. This fabulous Trail Marathon and Half Marathon, in its 5th year, follows in the footsteps of the revolutionary guerrilla war that led to their victory.
The final phase of the revolution started when Castro and Guevara sailed from Mexico in the pleasure yacht the Granma, landed with eighty or so comrades on the coast of south eastern Cuba and launched their guerrilla struggle against the Batista regime in the Sierra Maestra mountain range.
It is this struggle that inspired the creation of this exceptional marathon experience. Evidence of the guerrilla war is clear to be seen, and you will follow many of the trails that Fidel, Che and the other guerrilla fighters hacked through the undergrowth over two years.
The marathon and half marathon are run in the challenging and beautiful tropical foothills of the Sierra Maestra, with spectacular views of the Caribbean glistening temptingly below.
The start is at the resort hotel located on a quiet isolated bay, with fine sand beaches and good swimming, and the finish is in the small village of Marea del Portillo. In between you will run through the hills, passing isolated communities, farms growing coffee and mango, and the occasional horse and cow, with pockets of enthusiastic support to cheer you on as you run past.
On the evening of the marathon there is a celebratory prize giving party on the beach with the Cuban runners and everyone who helped locally, with dancing, traditional creole food and limitless fine Cuban rum.
In addition to the main races, there are two training runs in Havana beside the long sea wall, 5km and 10km races at Pilón (where Castro and Guevara landed in the Granma), fun relay races around an island where we go for swimming and lunch, and two races that we organize for the children of the local villages.
Apart from offering fine running among some breathtaking and historic scenery, the trip offers a unique opportunity to get to know the hospitable Cubans who live in this beautiful part of the island that you would never get from a normal visit to Cuba.
The terrain is challenging, but well within the capability of most fit runners.
We work closely with the local Cuban Tour Operator Cubanacan and our own local ground handling team to bring you this unique Trail Marathon. The programme offers an excellent two centre holiday combining the bustle of Havana with the remote beauty of Marea del Portillo.
BOOK THIS HOLIDAY ONLINE
2:09 EVENTS - ABOUT & PRIVACY STATEMENT
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
Travel Packages
OPTION 1: 10-night Package HAVANA & MAREA DEL PORTILLO
Feb 9: Arrive in José Martí Airport Havana on your own choice of International flights where you will be met at the Airport and transferred to your hotel. Over night on B&B basis in Havana in the 4-star Telégrafo hotel or similar located in the heart of the historic old city.
Feb 10: Morning easy run on the Malecón - the famous sea front area of Havana. City tour of Havana including the rum factory, cigar factory, Old Havana, and Capitolio. Lunch at a local restaurant and a welcome dinner in a typical Havana restaurant this evening.
Feb 11: Transfer to Havana Airport for the morning internal flight to Holguín Airport and transfer to Marea del Portillo on the remote Sierra Maestra coastline (approx 4hr drive). Arrangements are on full board basis, including all drinks.
Feb 12: Free time to relax by the pool or on the beach. This evening join in the fun 5km or 10km race at nearby Pilon, close to the landing place of the historic Granma boat used by Castro and Guevara to sail from Mexico to launch the revolution.
Feb 13: Morning easy run then visit a private Coral Island for a relaxing day with sun loungers, pedalos and canoes on the brilliant white beach. We'll organise some fun, short relay races around the island and then 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 14: Recce walk on part of the marathon route - approx 12km. Very hilly. 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 15: 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 16: 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 and organizers for a beach party and for prize giving, sharing rum and dancing. Dinner at the hotel.
Feb 17: At leisure in Marea - optional excursion to a local waterfall and freshwater rock pool with BBQ lunch.
Feb 18: Transfer to Holguin Airport and flight to Havana. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Telegrafo or similar in Havana Old City. Final celebration dinner in a typical Cuban restaurant in Old Havana.
Feb 19: Morning at leisure in Havana for last minute shopping. Afternoon transfer to José Martí Airport for your return flight home.
OPTION 2: 7-nights HOLGUIN or MANZANILLO - MAREA DEL PORTILLO
Feb 11: Arrival at Holguin Airport or Manzanillo Aiport on your own choice of flight and transfer to Marea del Portillo on the remote Sierra Maestra coastline (approx 4hr drive from Holguín, 2 1/2hrs from Manzanillo). Arrangements are on full board basis including all drinks.
Feb 12: Free time to relax by the pool or on the beach. This evening join in the fun 5 or 10km race at nearby Pilón, close to the landing place of the historic Granma boat used by Castro and Guevara to sail from Mexico to launch the revolution.
Feb 13: Morning easy run then visit a private Coral Island for a relaxing day with sun loungers, pedalos and canoes on the brilliant white beach. We'll organise some fun, short relay races around the island and then enjoy a BBQ lunch then back to the hotel.
Feb 14: Recce walk on part of the marathon route - approx 12km. Very hilly. 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 15: 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 16: 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 and organizers for a beach party and for prize giving, sharing rum and dancing. Dinner at the hotel.
Feb 17: At leisure in Marea - optional excursion to a local waterfall and freshwater rock pool with BBQ lunch.
Feb 18: Transfer to Holguin or Manzanillo Airport.
The Race Director is former London Marathon winner Mike Gratton, who works in conjuction with the local villagers and staff of the Cubanacán Agency and our own Cuban ground handling team to put on a very smoothly run event.
The tours are escorted throughout by local guides and we enjoy fantastic cooperation from the local Cubanacán staff in Marea to put the race on. Additionally we will be joined by Gareth Jenkins and Hilda Bario who have written and produced many books on Cuba, including a photographic celebration of Havana and biographies of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. Hilda is Cuban and her grandfather owned a sugar mill near Manzanillo, close to where we will be staying. She is an excellent source of information on life in Cuba.
OPTION 3: 4 NIGHTS HOLGUIN
Feb 13: Arrival in Holguin and transfer to Marea del Portillo.
Feb 14: Recce Walk on Marathon route - hilly, approx 12km. 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 15: 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 16: 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 and organizers for a beach party and for prize giving, sharing rum and dancing. Dinner at the hotel.
Feb 17: Transfers back to Holguin Airport.
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.
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 |
OPTION 1: HAVANA & MAREA DEL PORTILLO |
£1249 |
£1359 |
Per person |
OPTION 2: 7 NIGHTS MAREA DEL PORTILLO |
£995 |
£1095 |
Per Person |
OPTION 3: 4 NIGHTS MAREA DEL PORTILLO |
£599 |
£699 |
Per Person |
ADDITIONAL NTS IN TELEGRAFO HAVANA |
£70 |
£90 |
Per person per night |
DEPOSIT |
£250 |
Per Person |
RACE ENTRY FEE |
£195 |
Per runner |
The race entry fee covers medical support, local infrastructure, race t-shirt, medal, and also allows us to sponsor the local runners to take part (otherwise they couldn't) and organise a special schools run for the local children.
The race entry is conditional to booking one of the tour packages - there is strictly no Race Entry Only option for this tour.
