The 2025 edition of Run Barbados concluded on a high note over the weekend, reaffirming its status as one of the Caribbean’s premier road racing festivals, with close to 3,000 participants returning to the island for three thrilling days of competition, camaraderie, and sporting excellence.
Race Director Zari Evelyn described the event as a major success, particularly as organizers reintroduced the South Coast routes for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is our first year bringing the race back to the south coast since COVID,” Evelyn explained. “Once we announced the route change just a few weeks ago, due to road works on the east coast, we saw an immediate surge in entries, not only from Barbados but from across the Caribbean and internationally. People were eager to return to the south coast.”
According to Evelyn, overall participation numbers this year came close to 3,000 runners, placing the event nearly back at pre-pandemic levels, a milestone the organizing team welcomed.
Run Barbados also achieved another critical benchmark this year, with official World Athletics accreditation now attached to the race times, a development that further elevates the event’s international profile. “World accreditation means the standards have reached a global level,” Evelyn said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. Planning begins the moment one event ends, from assigning sponsors and inviting elite runners to extensive marketing and complex logistics, especially given the length of the race courses.”
He explained that much of the international appeal comes from what runners now refer to as a “runcation” – blending a sporting challenge with a Caribbean vacation.
“Our visitors plan months ahead, combining their love of running with a tropical holiday. We began marketing for this year’s race as early as January. Throughout the year, we fine-tune the logistics so that everything lines up for the three race days,” Evelyn said.
Canada remains Run Barbados’ strongest overseas market, followed closely by the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, as international participation continues to rise.
One of the standout features of the event remains its unique three-day format, which sets it apart from many other international races.
“Most running festivals are one or two days at most,” Evelyn noted. “Here, you run over three days, collect medals for each event, and have multiple chances to place in age groups. That makes the experience very different and more rewarding for participants.”
Following the successful close of the 2025 edition, Evelyn said immediate post-event evaluations are already underway. “In a few days, we meet to review everything, what worked, what didn’t, and then we start planning and marketing for Run Barbados 2026.”
