Long Haul, Short Haul The Cyprus Marathon and the Kingston Marathon, Jamaica
Look further afield for your race fix
Cyprus Marathon
PAPHOS, CYPRUS, MARCH 15
This one features a lovely, long opening and closing stretch along part of the southwest coastline of the island, along the Mediterranean, and the route will also take you into more rural areas, where the lush vegetation makes up for the lack of sea breeze. Here, in the relative peace and quiet, you will be able to zone out and enjoy the feeling of running abroad in the spring sunshine. Paphos Castle, built during the Byzantine era, and which has served as fortress, prison and salt warehouse in its time, is now the finish-line backdrop for thousands of Insta race posts each year.
Direct flights from London Stansted to Paphos from £82.
While you’re there Take a quadbike tour of the coastline and hillside villages surrounding Paphos.
logicomcyprusmarathon.com
Kingston City Marathon
KINGSTON, JAMAICA, MARCH 15
As is often the case with races in the Caribbean, this is an event that will involve both grimaces and grins. The route round the city and suburbs, via the botanical gardens, is a hilly one (and the 26.2 starts at 4:30am to avoid the worst of the heat) that takes you past beautiful, old plantation-style houses, the Bob Marley Museum, more palm trees than you can shake a coconut at, and much more. There is a strong international flavour to the field across the marathon, half and 10K options, and runners come together after their race to enjoy some superb Jamaican hospitality, including a meal of fresh fish and a rejuvenating dip in the sea. Recovery doesn’t get better than that
Flights From London (direct) or Edinburgh and Manchester (one stop) from £577rtn.
While you’re there Visit the Bob Marley museum at a slower pace.
kingstoncityrun.com