Run Barbados turns 42 with new wellness chapter

Barbados’ longest-running sports tourism event is getting a wellness makeover.

Formerly known as Run Barbados, the newly rebranded Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend returns December 4-7, 2025, with a broadened focus that blends competitive running with holistic health experiences, including movement, mindfulness and community engagement.

“This year marks a significant milestone in the event’s 42-year history,” Cheryl Carter, Chief Operations Officer at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) told journalists on Wednesday.

“For the first time we are expanding beyond the racecourse to introduce holistic wellness components. This evolution reflects not only global trends in sport and lifestyle but also Barbados’ commitment to positioning itself as the premier destination for sports and wellness tourism.”

The event continues to grow, with 1 600 athletes from 25 countries participating in 2024 – up from 1 200 entrants from 18 countries the year before. Carter said the addition of wellness programming is expected to drive even greater international interest.

“Year on year, this event is strengthening its role as a key driver of sports tourism and a catalyst for economic activity,” she added. “Events like this generate not only international visibility but also visitor arrivals, while benefiting industries from hospitality to transport, retail to culture, wellness to technology.”

BTMI’s Manager of Sports Kamal Springer, said the 2025 edition will run an extra day to accommodate a new opening wellness event.

“We want to ensure our visitors can integrate with local runners and build relationships, because we know visitors come to Barbados for the people,” he said.

Last year, 700 overseas visitors came specifically for the event, alongside more than 1 400 local runners. Organisers hope to deepen local engagement through media partnerships and school incentives, including $5 000 prizes for the largest primary and secondary school groups.

The international footprint continues to widen, with past entrants from Kenya, Iceland, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and across the Caribbean.
This year’s wellness agenda will spotlight the island’s East Coast through a collaboration with Walker’s Reserve and WIRRED, including a 5K hike on Sunday, December 7.

“We encourage the hiking community, from the Hiking Association to Nature’s Discount’s Sun Warriors, to come out and see the incredible conservation work being done there,” Springer said.