The 16th edition of Tamarindo Beach Marathon, one of the most beloved, popular, and cherished races in the country, takes place this Saturday, September 9th, and all registrations are completely sold out—it's going to be packed once again. We're sharing all the details so you arrive prepared on race day.
Kit pickup. The last opportunity to pick up your kit is this Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tamarindo Diriá hotel; kits will not be distributed on race day, without exception. It's important that you check that your shirt size is correct and that you have your race number with the chip and wristband for the pasta dinner.
Pasta dinner. Speaking of food, the dinner, included with your registration, will be that same Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., also at the Tamarindo Diriá hotel. To access the dinner you only need to show the wristband that came in your kit. Companions can also eat for $12, which is paid on the spot.
Start times. The 21k, 30k, and 42k will start at exactly 4:00 a.m.; the 5k and 10k will start at 4:25 a.m.
Street closures. Streets will be partially closed starting at 3 a.m.—keep that in mind because it will be important to plan well and arrive at least an hour early if you're coming from outside Tamarindo.
Routes. As for the courses, they are all out-and-back along the beautiful routes leading toward Tamarindo. Basically you go out and come back the same way, which is actually a very pleasant aspect because you have the opportunity to see other runners as they pass, measure yourself against them, challenge them, joke around, or simply spectate.
The 42k has a special feature: when runners are about to reach the finish line and can already hear the music, they still have to turn around and run 3 more kilometers out and 3 kilometers back before crossing the finish. The good news is that those 3k don't include the hill that comes before the Villareal crossing.
The other distances, except the 5k, have to face that small hill at the start, at kilometer 3.5 to be exact, and the rest of the course alternates between false flats and true flats. This means the course is not exactly flat, but it doesn't have significant hills—just gentle, prolonged inclines.
Hydration, as always in Guanacaste, will be absolutely crucial for a good race. The organization will have multiple aid stations for each distance, all with water and orange Gatorade; on average there will be hydration every 2.5 kilometers. You can see the details on each of the maps HERE.
We wish you an excellent race—remember to be kind to everyone, thank the volunteers, and enjoy the privilege of running in such a paradise as Guanacaste.
