Running Around the Caribbean

Travel and shopping are my passions but unless you follow me on twitter (and you should!) you probably don’t know that I have a third, running. I’ve been a runner for more than a decade, and I’ve found that as I jetset around the world it’s a great way to explore new places and meet new people. On your next trip to the Caribbean, why not combine a little physical activity with the fun by entering one of these destination races. Bahamas

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I did Marathon Bahamas' marathon relay with three of my Black Girls Run teammates this year, but you can choose to run a 5k, half-marathon or full during this race weekend held every January in Nassau. The half and full routes take you along the New Providence waterfront and over both Paradise Island bridges.

Jamaica

credit: reggaemarathon.com

Run through the boho resort village of Negril, the Reggae Marathon (there’s also a half-marathon and 10k) is a classic Jamaican road race, now its 10th year. By contrast, the inaugural Kingston City Run was last weekend, but the half-marathon and 10k promise to become fixtures on the international fun run circuit for visitors to the capital.

St. John, USVI

credit: 8tuffmiles.com

8 Tuff Miles takes runners across St. John from Cruz Bay in the west to Coral Bay in the east, offering breathtaking (literally) views of the island’s beaches and lush landscape from elevations as high as 999 feet.

Caribbean-wide

credit: cimcruise.com

You don’t have to worry about packing on those cruise pounds if you run every time the ship docks. The Caribbean Islands Half and Full Marathon cruise gives runners and walkers the chance to go the distance in manageable increments run at the ship’s ports of call. This year, participants pounded out 13.1 or 26.2 miles during stops in St. Kitts, Curacao, Aruba and St. Thomas.