Many Barbados visitors like lounging on the beach with a rum punch. Beach chairs can be alluring, especially when looking out at the beautiful turquoise water on this eastern Caribbean island. Still, runners have to run. So, pack your running shoes and get ready to discover everything you need to know about Barbados as a running destination.
Whether you’re looking for a place to travel for your next marathon or simply want to stay active during your vacation, Barbados has some interesting opportunities for runners. This detailed guide will tell you all about the island’s top running locations, gear availability, running clubs, and races.
Where to run in Barbados
The south and western parts of Barbados have gentler water for swimming and flatter terrain for running. Central and eastern Barbados are hillier regions. It’s important to note that there aren’t many places set aside for running. You’ll often be sharing narrow, shoulderless roads with cars. So wear bright colors and be vigilant — especially if you’re not used to cars driving on the left side of the road. On my recent trip, I crossed the street often, trying to stay on the outside of curves and looking for the occasional stretches of sidewalk. Also, for shade. Barbados is hot and humid. Early morning runs are most enjoyable.
There are a few different types of surfaces to run on in Barbados. Beach running is a good way to stay safe from traffic, though it takes more energy to run in Barbados’ fine sand. You could do laps up and down Rockley Beach, which runs for about a kilometer on the island’s southwest side. Nearby Worthing Beach is also fairly wide. On the east side, you can try your luck on the rugged beaches between Bathsheba and Cattlewash. But the availability of beaches here depends on the tides.
My favorite Barbados running destination was on the Richard Haynes Boardwalk on the south coast, right across the street from where I stayed at South Beach Hotel. The boardwalk is about a kilometer long, so you might want to do a few laps. There’s also a West Coast Boardwalk, which alternates with sections of beach.
You could also take a self-guided 12-kilometer runseeing tour of Bridgetown, taking in sights like historic Garrison Savannah, now a horse race course, and Nidhe Israel Synagogue, one of the western hemisphere’s oldest synagogues.
Running gear
According to Run Barbados director Zary Evelyn, visiting runners should bring their own gear. Choices on the island are limited and more expensive. “I mean if you’re just someone having a little fun with it, you can certainly get the right pair of Adidas or Asics here,” he said. But if you require the latest high-tech socks, better bring them from home.
Running clubs in Barbados
“There are a lot of informal run clubs that people can link up with,” Evelyn said. “They’re all very welcoming to people coming in.”
A good place to start is Hash House Harriers, probably Barbados’ most accessible running club since you just show up to participate. This internationally known club bills itself as “a drinking club with a running problem,” so don’t expect the environment to be too serious. On its FAQs page, one question is about inexperienced runners wondering if they’ll be left behind. The answer: “Heck no! There is often a shorter/easier/flatter walkers route available. If not, we have lots of regular hashers that walk the route so you’ll be in fine company!”
Check the website for their next run, and bring your sense of flexibility and adventure. The run will last anywhere from 45 to 120 minutes and happens rain or shine.
Run Barbados and other running events
Run Barbados is the island’s biggest running event and the one that pulls in the most visitors. This year, the three-day event runs December 6-8. It kicks off with a nighttime one-mile fun run around the historic Garrison Savannah. Saturday and Sunday, runners move to the rugged and hilly east coast for longer races. They can choose between a 5K or 10K on Saturday and a half or full marathon on Sunday.
Trail runners can try the Hill Challenge, held annually in April or May. This year’s race will be on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Runners cover about 13 miles and a 3,500 feet elevation change. About 70% of the route is on trails ranging from easy to technical. The Mountain Goats are an informal group of recreational runners and some fast hikers who organize weekly training runs for the Hill Challenge starting in January.
Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Outdoors Wire did visit Barbados during a press trip with Visit Barbados. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.