Runners Take on the One Happy Island at Aruba’s KLM International Marathon

Runners Take on the One Happy Island at Aruba’s KLM International Marathon

On June 6th and 7th, the Caribbean will welcome athletes from all over the world. This time, the host is Aruba. The One Happy Island is getting ready to host the 8th edition of the KLM Aruba International Marathon, an event that has been celebrated since 2018.

The One Happy Marathon: An Event that'sTopping Travel Trends

Aruba has much to be proud of: its history, its culture, and its people, and now it has added a marathon that attracts athletes from all over the globe.  The footrace is officially recognized by World Athletics and certified by the AIMS.  

The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) is an organization in which approximately 300 races across 90 countries participate. They organize, promote, and support a new trend called “destination running”. 

In recent years, this peculiar way of traveling has been gaining popularity as people combine their sports interests with the exploration of places. For them, a run becomes an opportunity to see fantastic landscapes, and an encouraging goal to keep the spirits up while training throughout the year. There's even a term for this: they call it “Runcation”. 

In Aruba, athletes will have a chance to contemplate the enchantment of the tropics and the island’s quaint Dutch heritage, as they run from Palm Beach to Eagle Beach, ending in the famous California lighthouse. 

The other prestigious authority that supports the KLM marathon is World Athletics, the international governing body that regulates rules, ratifies records, and organizes major competitions concerning this sport.  

Race and Celebrate at the Beach: What Awaits Runners in Aruba this Year

The marathon will be organized in four categories: 5K and 10K runs, and full and half marathons (21 kilometers and 42 kilometers). On June 6th, athletes will have the chance to take the 5-kilometer run, starting at 5.30 pm. The other three races will be held on June 7th, starting at  3 am (full marathon), 5.15 am (half marathon), and 6.15 am (10K). 

All routes are designed to end approximately at the same time at the beach, where there will be a huge party to congratulate the athletes on their efforts. Their friends and family can join them, and together they can spend an unforgettable evening by the Caribbean Sea. 

The runners will get all kinds of prizes. Besides the shiny medal that each participant gets at the end of the line, the first, second, and third places in each category (male and female) will get their special cup awards. Besides, the fastest Aruban male and female will obtain a KLM return ticket and an entry to the Amsterdam marathon. 

Maybe the most exciting achievement is to break the current record (02:37:13), held by Yeisson Javier Parra Rodriguez, from Colombia. The man or woman to surpass Yeisson will get a 2,500-dollar prize in cash. 

Aruba Gets Ready to Welcome Visitors From All Over the World

With sponsors such as KLM, Hilton, and Cavallier, the island is ready to receive up to 3,000 sportspeople (which is the maximum allowed) after having received 2,750 from 42 countries last year. 

The Caribbean, and Aruba in particular, is proud to host such an event and to become part of this trendy way of traveling, combined with the love for sports.  The visitors will be arriving in only a few days and will have the chance to practice their favorite sport under the clear skies of the One Happy Island.