Marabana – Havana Marathon

The Marabana Havana Marathon is Cuba’s flagship road race and one of the most distinctive city marathons you can run. Since 1987 it has been held on the third Sunday in November, drawing thousands of Cuban club runners and international visitors to the streets of Havana. The atmosphere is more carnival than corporate: classic cars along the Malecón, salsa and reggaeton from loudspeakers and families leaning over balconies to cheer. For travelling runners it doubles as a long-weekend city break, with plenty of time to explore Old Havana’s plazas, seaside promenades and cafés once the early-morning start is behind you.

The marathon follows a certified two-loop road course that starts and finishes near the Ramón Font Sports Center at Avenida de la Independencia and 19 de Mayo. From there the route threads through central Havana on broad avenues such as Salvador Allende and Reina, drops toward Prado and the Capitolio, then heads out to the Malecón seafront and into the Vedado district before returning inland. Everything is on paved city streets and mostly flat to gently rolling, but long straight sections, warm air and exposure to the sun can make the second loop feel much tougher than the first. Marathoners complete the circuit twice, while half-marathon runners cover a single loop.

Marabana takes place at the tail end of the wet season, when Havana is warm and humid rather than brutally hot. Typical mid-November race mornings start around 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F) and can climb toward 27 to 29°C (81 to 84°F) by late morning, with light coastal breezes along the Malecón and occasional showers. Shade is limited and the sun reflects off the pavement and sea, so light kit, plenty of fluids and conservative early pacing are the keys to enjoying the race.