The Bahamas Is Launching a Big New Destination Marathon in Nassau With Beachfront Courses, a Charity 5K, and a Sunrise Start

The inaugural Run Bahamas Race Weekend will bring marathoners from around the world to Nassau on January 31, 2027, based at the adults-only Warwick Paradise Island.

In other words, there is a new reason to lace up and book a flight to Nassau.

The Bahamian capital is about to add itself to the global map of destination races, and it is doing so with a debut built for serious runners and first-timers alike.

The inaugural Run Bahamas Race Weekend is set for Jan. 31, 2027, when marathoners and running enthusiasts from around the world will converge on The Bahamas for an event where elite performance meets tropical paradise. It is being billed as far more than a competition.

The pitch is simple and ambitious. This is a race weekend designed to double as an unforgettable journey through one of the most beautiful destinations on earth.

The event is powered by Four Seasons Race Management, and the lineup is deep. It spans a Full Marathon, a 4-Person Marathon Relay, a Half Marathon, a 10K, and the inspiring Colors of Courage 5K.

There is also a path in for runners who cannot make the trip. Virtual Half and Full Marathon options will let participants take part from anywhere in the world.

The weekend carries a charitable heart as well. A portion of the 5K proceeds will benefit the Gennie Dean Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group, tying the race directly to the community it runs through.

Then there is the home base, and it is a good one. The picturesque harbor setting of the Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas will serve as the official host hotel for the event.

It is an inspired choice. The resort offers participants a comfortable, convenient and welcoming retreat both before and after race day.

The property leans into exactly what a tired runner wants. This adults-only, all-inclusive resort blends authentic Bahamian hospitality with modern amenities, set just minutes from Nassau’s vibrant attractions and pristine beaches.

Location is a quiet advantage here. The resort’s central position allows easy access to race activities, transportation hubs and many of the destination’s most popular experiences.

The amenities are tuned for athletes. Warwick Paradise Island features spacious accommodations, multiple dining venues, fitness and wellness facilities, and tranquil waterfront views.

That combination matters more than it might sound. It creates an ideal environment for athletes preparing for competition or recovering after crossing the finish line.

Guests can enjoy nutritious dining options, unwind by the pool, or explore the beauty and culture of The Bahamas throughout their stay. It is the kind of base that turns a race into a vacation.

The competition itself has been designed for athletes of every level. The lineup welcomes everyone from seasoned marathoners to first-time runners chasing a milestone.

The backdrop does a lot of the heavy lifting. The races unfold against turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and the historic charm of Nassau, a setting few road races anywhere can match.

The production values are meant to match the scenery. Run Bahamas will deliver a world-class experience complete with official timing, hydration stations, medical support, experienced volunteer teams and professionally managed courses.

The event has also drawn a notable roster of backers. A distinguished group of partners has lined up behind the weekend, each committed to health, wellness, tourism and community engagement across The Bahamas.

Bahamas Power & Light is on board as a Goombay Sponsor. The supporting cast includes The Nassau Guardian as the official Media Partner, alongside Commonwealth Brewery Limited and the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

That collective backing speaks to the ambition behind the project. It underscores the growing momentum to establish Run Bahamas as one of the Caribbean’s premier running experiences.

The man at the center of it sees an even bigger picture. Marcel Major, chief executive officer of Four Seasons Race Management and an RRCA-Certified Race Director, frames the debut as a starting line in more ways than one.

“Run Bahamas represents far more than a race — it marks the beginning of a premier destination running experience in The Bahamas,” Major said. “Our vision is to create an event that not only challenges athletes but fully immerses participants in the beauty, culture, energy, and spirit of Nassau.”

His ambition reaches beyond a single weekend. Major sees the race helping to position The Bahamas as an emerging global sports tourism destination while delivering an exceptional and professionally executed event.

What sets the weekend apart is the cultural experience woven through every mile. The race leans into its sense of place rather than treating the destination as scenery.

The start line says it all. All races will begin at 6:00 a.m. at the iconic Goodman’s Bay in Nassau, giving participants the rare chance to race alongside the shoreline at sunrise and celebrate their accomplishments in true Bahamian style.

The invitation is broad and intentional in spirit. Local runners, walkers, corporate teams, schools, civic organizations and families are all encouraged to take part in this historic inaugural event.

There is a keepsake waiting at the end. Finishers will receive a commemorative inaugural medal, with awards presented across select race categories.

The courses themselves trace some of the most scenic stretches of the island. The 5K and 10K travel east along West Bay Street, hugging the water as they go.

The Half Marathon ranges a little farther. It heads east along Cable Beach before continuing onto West Bay Street and pushing into historic downtown Nassau.

The full distance is built for endurance. The Marathon features a double-loop course, requiring participants to complete the Half Marathon route twice for the full 26.2 miles.

For a region already synonymous with sun and sea, the timing feels right. Sports tourism has become one of the fastest-growing reasons travelers cross borders, and a January race weekend slots perfectly into the Caribbean’s high season.

The late-January date is its own selling point. It lands in the heart of winter for much of the running world, offering a warm-weather escape just when motivation tends to flag back home.

The broader significance is hard to miss. A successful debut could turn Run Bahamas into an annual fixture and a meaningful new pillar of the destination’s tourism calendar.

For now, the focus is on the inaugural start line. Voyages, training plans and travel bookings are already taking shape around it, with full course details and registration available online at runbahamas.net.

And come sunrise on that January morning, the shoreline at Goodman’s Bay will host the first chapter of what its organizers hope becomes one of the Caribbean’s signature races.