Beachside Races to Cure Your Winter Blues

Hit the road and the beach with these races that celebrate striding and sand. You can chase that sunny running vibe at races around the U.S. and Caribbean even as the days grow shorter and summer fades away. They make for the perfect runcation when you want to run away from it all. Sun screen required.

1. Maui Marathon and Half Marathon

October 13, 2019 in Lahaina, Hawaii

The Maui Marathon and Half Marathon, the oldest running event in Hawaii, is a feast for all five senses. The point-to-point marathon covers half of the island's 48-mile length. See the sunrise beside the 10,000-foot volcano Haleakala with ocean vistas in the distance. Then follow 17 miles along Maui's coastline with dramatic views of neighboring islands. You'll hear the sound of crashing surf and smell fragrant plumeria along many parts of the course. If marathoning isn't your style, opt for a marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K or 5K, which all share the same marathon finish and stunning ocean views. Post-race, taste sweet pineapple among the finish line food and feel the sand between your toes at the 3-mile-long Kaanapali Beach near the finish. If you want to run even more, join Maui Running Company for a pre-race shakeout or the runWestin concierge at host hotel The Westin Maui Resort & Spa for weekly guided group runs around the Kaanapali area. When you're not running, join the race's free yoga class at The Westin, snorkel Molokini Crater or watch the sunrise atop Haleakala—then bike down it.

2. Kauai Marathon and Half-Marathon

Sept. 1, 2019 in Poipu, Hawaii

Picture lush tropical rainforests, a 100-year-old tunnel of trees, sunrise over volcanic peaks and a stunning waterfront finish line—that's the Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon in a coconut shell. While Maui Marathon puts the ocean front and center, Kauai is a celebration of the aloha spirit. A traditional blessing sung in Hawaiian kicks off the morning and a conch shell serves as the starting horn, while locals in traditional dress hold torches to light the way. Hawaiian musicians, drummers and hula dancers entertain runners along the course (not to mention the island's famous chickens), which is a road race with a trail profile of challenging climbs. The pre- and post-race spread is a luau-worthy feast. Host hotel Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa offers room and spa discounts for runners, and other weekend events include a free 3-mile fun run and children's races. When you're not running, kayak to a waterfall on Hawaii's only navigable rivers or soar by helicopter over the island's famous canyons and cliffs (think Jurassic Park)—most of which can only be seen by air.

3. Bermuda Marathon Weekend

January 18-20, 2019 in Hamilton, Bermuda

Get lost in the Bermuda Triangle Challenge—three races on three consecutive days—at Bermuda Marathon Weekend. Runners navigate their way through 1 mile, 10K and either a half-marathon or marathon as the finale. If three's a crowd, run any one of the courses that tour the island famous for its pink sand beaches and namesake shorts. There's a reason Condé Nast Traveler named Bermuda the best island in the Caribbean and Atlantic in 2018. You'll see glimmering teal waters, pastel colonial buildings and verdant foliage on the longer courses, while the Front Street Mile is a virtual street party with cheering spectators lining the island's capital. Post-race sip a Dark 'n' Stormy or Rum Swizzle, the unofficial drinks of the island, on the beach at host hotels Fairmont Southampton, Grotto Bay Beach Resort or Coco Reef Bermuda. When you're not racing tour the breathtaking Crystal Caves, visit one of the oldest English settlements in the Western hemisphere or run the Bermuda Railway Trail, a national park spanning 18 of the island's 21 miles.

4. Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon

Feb. 3, 2019 in Huntington Beach, California

While the larger, more famous LA Marathon finishes along the beach in Santa Monica, a chunk of the course at the Surf City Marathon is the beach. More than 18 miles are in view of the water. Marathoners and half-marathoners pass iconic sites in the town of The Beach Boys “Surf City" fame, including the Huntington Beach Pier and Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Other distances include a 5K and a Kids Cowabunga Beach Challenge. About 17,000 Runners come for the surfboard-shaped medals and live surf music, and stay for free beer at the “Sand Bar" post-race party on the beach. When you're not running, learn to catch a wave at one of Huntington Beach's many surf schools, natch.

5. Nevis Marathon & Running Festival

September 2019 in Charlestown, Nevis

If you're looking for a Caribbean road race less traveled, you'll find it at the Nevis Marathon & Running Festival. One of two islands in the country of St. Kitts and Nevis, the volcanic enclave of Nevis is a great place to run away from it all with no cruise ships, casinos or major airport. (Only small aircraft from nearby Caribbean ports and ferries from St. Kitts serve the island.) The 5K, 10K and half-marathon courses run out-and-back from the capital of Charlestown, while the marathon and marathon relay circle the entire island. The marathon's famous Anaconda Hill takes runners from sea level to 666 feet, up, up and away, over the course of a steady 3-mile climb. All but the 5K offer challenging hills for runners to conquer, along with ocean vistas, mountain views, wild horses and islands calling from across the sea. When you're not running, snorkel at Oualie Beach or go monkey watching to see island's populous Green Vervet monkeys in action.

6. Cayman Islands Marathon

December 2, 2018 in George Town, Cayman Islands

Famous for its Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands is also home to one of the winter's best beachfront races. With marathon, half-marathon, four-person marathon relay, and a kids run to choose from, runners can look forward to a flat course with water views and balmy breezes. Host hotel Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa sits on the sand once named best in the world by U.S. News & World Report and offers weekly guided runs through the runWestin program. Runners praise the race for being friendly and well-organized, with a fun island vibe. When you're not running, go under the sea to one of the Cayman Island's famous diving spots, which include shipwrecks, underwater grottos and marine parks.

7. Miami Marathon and Half Marathon

January 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida

If running is your vice, head to south Florida for the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. The flat, single-loop marathon course takes runners over several bridges with water views as they race over causeways, city streets and past the famed sands of Miami Beach. A half-marathon, 5K and Kids Run round out the weekend with something for every runner. Post-race parties take the 20,000 participants to Bayfront Park in Miami and Nikki Beach in Miami Beach. If you just can't get enough of Florida's beaches, take part in the Florida Storm Challenge to earn Category 3, 4 or 5 honors by running multiple races around the Sunshine State.

8. Outer Banks Marathon and Southern Fried Half Marathon

November 2019 in Kill Devil Hills and Manteo, North Carolina

Two days of running in North Carolina's idyllic Outer Banks bring runners marathon, half-marathon, 8K, 5K, kids Fun Run, and Diaper Dash races. The point-to-point marathon course starts in Kitty Hawk, of Wright Brothers fame, and winds along the barrier islands through Nags Head, over bridges, and past sweeping views of Roanoke Sound. While the scenery is jaw-dropping, the post-race party is jaw-opening with Carolina-style BBQ, sweet potato fries and a beer garden. A Saturday family festival also brings out games, face painting and a rock-climbing wall for the littles. When you're not running, hang glide or hike the East Coast's tallest sand dune at Jockey's Ridge or seek out the areas famed wild mustangs on an off-road safari.

9. Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend

Jan. 20, 2019 in Nassau, Bahamas

The shallow sea or "baja mar" in Spanish gave The Bahamas its name and that turquoise water is also the star of the Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend. With an oceanfront start and finish, the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and relay courses are flat and fast with two bridges early in the race, touring runners through downtown Nassau, Paradise Island and Cable Beach. Organizers describe it as “furiously scenic." A post-race beach party promises, beer, bites and music, too. Main hotel sponsor Atlantis Paradise Island offers a 20 percent room discount for runners. When you're not racing, venture to some of The Bahamas 700 islands, where you can sail, fish, swim, dive or just relax.

10. Gorgeous Coast Relay

October 2019 in Northwest Oregon

They call it "Gorgeous" for a reason. Nearly every leg of the almost 50-mile Gorgeous Coast Relay in Oregon features some sort of water view, if not actual beach running. Runners compete in teams of up to six people, trading runs along 12 relay legs, and tackling a mix of roads, off-road trails, technical trails and, yep, sandy beaches. The relay starts in Astoria (of Goonies fame) and finishes on the iconic Cannon Beach near Haystack Rock (yep, Goonies, too). The route takes advantage of waterfront sites, state parks, beach recreation areas, bridges and part of the 382-mile Oregon Coast Trail. When you're not running, ride along Cannon Beach on horseback or take a surf lesson with pre-surf yoga on the beach.