Travel to rest, get a change of scenery… and to surpass yourself? More and more vacationers are swapping their relaxing stays for adventures that make the heart race, literally.
Please note, we are not talking here about an impromptu five-kilometre trip after drinking too many pia coladas in the swimming pool at your all-inclusive, but rather about planning a complete trip around a sporting event. Whether it is to participate in a triathlon in Spain, a trek in the desert or even a marathon in the streets of Paris, sports tourism is popular at the moment.
Intrigued, I wanted to push my limits and try this new way of traveling. So I set down my bags in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, to take part in Run Barbados, the oldest running event in the Caribbean.
Why Run Barbados?
Because running under the palm trees is a lot more tempting than in the bitter cold of Quebec… especially in December! Barbados celebrated, at the end of 2025, the 42e edition of its marathon by organizing an entire weekend dedicated to well-being.
Anabelle St-Pierre
So I had three days to discover the island while the streets were closed, animated and carried by a festive energy that we only find during this event – a privilege! In addition to the different races offered, yoga sessions, Group training, entertainment and even a nature hike were on the program.
What makes Run Barbados unique is its inclusive spirit. Regardless of age or fitness level, there is a place for everyone. With routes ranging from 1.5 km to 42 km, we come across seasoned runners as well as families with young children (it’s better to start them early!), tourists who want to get out of their comfort zone, and locals for whom the event is a real tradition.
My running experience
Being an occasional runner, a 10 km in the baking sun, with a feeling of 30 degrees Celsius, was already quite a challenge for me.
At the starting line, I was struck by the diversity of the runners: (very) pregnant women – if I trust the size of some bellies! – and a lot of salt-and-pepper faces. There were also people who, like me, were participating in their very first official race, and others who have completed so many that they no longer know where to put their medals.
The running community is accessible and welcoming. We don’t need to have statistics that would make our Strava subscribers blush to be part of the group. Running at your own pace, with pleasure and respect for your body and its limits, is enough to be part of the club.
POW! The kick-off was given.
At each turn, locals who came to encourage the runners applauded. Some held out their hands for high fivesothers shouted encouragement with a sincerity that made you want to accelerate and beat your personal bests. Several local bands played music along the way to keep us motivated. The energy in the air was electrifying.
My biggest surprise? To see so many people gathering for the simple pleasure of greeting the passing… of complete strangers. Not only did it encourage me to run faster, but it was a pleasant realization: what we celebrate here is not performance, but effort. A sweet and simple reminder that I brought back with me as a travel souvenir.
Running through the streets, I discovered the city through its sounds, its smells, its people. Along the way, I spotted a café to try, a restaurant to try, a bar to return to after crossing the finish line. I soaked up the place, its smells: details that would surely have escaped me if I had visited Bridgetown as a simple tourist.
I crossed the finish line a bit oozing, my cheeks lobster red, filled with an immense feeling of pride. The best part of all that? I finished my run just in time to admire the beautiful sunset. Medal around your neck, feet in the sand and gaze plunged into an orange sky… It’s only in Barbados that the races end like this! And honestly, it’s a bit (read here: a lot) the dream!
Où sleep�
It’s easy at Coconut Court Beach! This family hotel by the sea, which has welcomed travelers since 1975, conceals all the charm specific to the Caribbean. We are far from the large, cold, modern complex, and so much the better, because it is precisely the authenticity of the place that makes us feel so good there.
Anabelle St-Pierre
There is a swimming pool, a dream beach with turquoise water, a bar to stay well hydrated thanks to the famous rum punchand a restaurant that serves excellent Caribbean and Creole specialties.
The right addresses
We stop there to eat, drink and relax!
Blush Café: Certainly the most Instagrammable café on the island. Plus, it’s very close to the hotel. Its brunch menu is salivating, but we especially appreciate the vast selection of signature drinks. We order the iced latte with toasted marshmallow (which comes with Lucky Charms on top). You’ll thank me later!
Tapas Restaurant: For a dinner outside the hotel, head to Tapas, a restaurant on the famous boardwalk (you can get there on foot from Coconut Court Beach in 10 minutes, top time). This chic and romantic restaurant offers incredible views of the Caribbean Sea. Special mention to its international cuisine and creative cocktails.
QP Bistro: This restaurant certainly ranks in the top of the most beautiful places I have eaten. The decor is exotic, the view of the water is exquisite. The icing on the cake? Musical performances by local artists. It’s the perfect evening if you want to treat yourself outside the hotel. We eat with the sound of waves and music live : a grandiose experience!
Rihanna’s house: As long as you’re in Barbados, you might as well go for a stroll on the Rihanna Drivewhere we find (surprise!) Riri’s childhood home. Located about twenty minutes from Bridgetown, this green and orange bungalow saw the music icon grow and is today classified as a cultural monument.
10 km = a roller coaster of emotions
Here’s a little summary of my feelings, from the start line to the finish line.
1 km : I’m floating on a cloud! The crowd at the starting line, the cries of encouragement… the first kilometer passes in the blink of an eye.
2 km: I pass an elderly couple running hand in hand. I want to cry because I find them so beautiful.
4 km : I slightly regret leaving like a rocket. My heavy breathing reminds me that I must calm my ardor.
5 km : I meet local musicians on my route and people sing and dance around them, including me!
7 km : It’s starting to seriously tingle my legs, but I’m holding on.
9 km : The adrenaline kicks in and I tell myself that I could have run another 10 km with all this encouragement. In a slightly diluted way, yes.
10 km : WOW, I did it! So happy (but, my feet and I, we are very happy that it’s over).
In my ears
Here are the songs that I listened to, without moderation, during my 10 km, and which could give you a little extra motivation for your next races.
- Don’t stop the musicRhianna
- Feel GoodCharlotte Cardin
- I RunHaven
- DistanceApashe and Geoffroy
- All women know how to danceLoud
- Running, TELYkast Remix
This trip to Barbados made me realize that vacations don’t have to be about complete rest. Sometimes, breaking a sweat and challenging yourself feels just as good. I returned from this trip with a new passion for running, but, above all, this desire to live my next journeys like this, that is to say fully in the present moment!
Other sporting events to put on your radar
The 43e edition of Run Barbados will take place from December 3 to 6, 2026. In the meantime, if you want to put on your sneakers internationally, here are other events to put on your calendar.
1.
Running in the Icelandic capital means setting foot on an incredible territory: volcanoes, fjords and Nordic lights are just some of the local natural beauties. Reykjavik attracts runners from all over the world for its unique atmosphere and out-of-the-ordinary landscapes.
2.
The name of the event may seem elitist, but rest assured: anyone can sign up for the 1.6km and 5km rides through the bustling streets of Copenhagen.
3.
It is one of the most famous marathons in the world. Its route passes through historic districts in an electrifying atmosphere. The day before the 42 km, it is even possible to run the last 5 kilometers of the original course, a great way to get started.
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