Cancun Mexico Marathon - 12/1/2026
About the race
The Central America Sweep Challenge is a series of nine marathons in nine Central American countries over 21 days, from 11/15/2026 to 12/6/2026.
The races are planned so you can move from one country to another with no wasted time, mostly on direct nonstop flights. You may run in as many countries as you want, and each race has a separate registration.
The host hotels are picked and designed to be the start of each race course, with the option to stay in other low cost hotels nearby.
Self-supporting races
The races are self-supporting: participants bring their own drinks and nutrition.
Registration and entry limits
Early bird places are capped at 20 runners per race. Registration for all races closes once 20 per event is reached or 2 days before the event.
The early bird fee for each marathon includes a finisher medal, a bib number and an official finisher time posted on the website. Late registrants are not guaranteed a finisher medal, so register at least one month before the event date.
Registration is first come, first served, and the organizer may reject registrations without giving reasons.
Race director contact and updates
Race director Parvaneh Moayedi: +1 832 338 6095, [email protected].
For updates, contact by WhatsApp with your phone number to be added to the WhatsApp group.
Bib distribution and briefing
Bib distribution and the mandatory race briefing are at the host hotel at 5pm the evening before each event. The race director may deny your entry or start if you miss the briefing.
Start times and travel timing
Start time for each marathon is at sunrise for that event's country. Start times are subject to change depending on weather and local conditions and will be announced when bib numbers are issued at the briefing.
Events could start as early as 12 hours before the announced date, depending on connection times to the next country and park opening times, so you need to be in the country of the event at least 18 hours in advance.
Finisher awards
All finishers receive a medal and a finish results list (a finisher certificate is being considered).
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for emergencies and flight cancellations is advised.
Visas, permits and liability
- Visas may be required, and participants are solely responsible for obtaining them.
- The organizers follow local guidelines and the guidance of local running clubs, and will check and confirm this for each marathon and submit to certain running clubs before event dates.
- This is an extra step for runners who are members of clubs that track countries, but it does not guarantee club approval.
- Every runner participates at their own risk. The organizers cannot be held liable if a race cannot be staged due to circumstances beyond their control or is stopped by authorities.
- Registering for any race means you agree to all conditions above and sign the waiver.
What your entry includes
Cancellation policy
Athletes can cancel their registration, but no refund is given.
There are absolutely no refunds.
The course
The course is mostly flat and paved, although this is not guaranteed, with multiple laps in all countries. Courses are on public running paths or parks. The Cancun race runs at Parque Ecológico Kabah or on Ciclopista Boulevard Kukulcán.
Race series itinerary
- 1. 11/15/2026 - Panama City International Marathon. Host: Hilton Panama (near the start). Travel 11/16/2026: Panama City (PTY) to Comayagua Palmerola Intl (XPL), Copa Airlines 11:48am.
- 2. 11/18/2026 - Tegucigalpa Honduras Marathon. Host: InterContinental Hotels Tegucigalpa at Multiplaza by IHG. Course: Circular Park Cerro Juana Lainez. Travel 11/18/2026: Comayagua Palmerola (XPL) to San Salvador El Salvador (SAL), Copa Airlines 7:30pm.
- 3. 11/20/2026 - San Salvador El Salvador Marathon. Host: City Centro by Marriott San Salvador. Course: Parque del Bicentenario (Bicentennial Park) in San Salvador. Travel 11/21/2026: San Salvador (SAL) to Managua (MGA), Avianca Airlines 9:55am.
- 4. 11/23/2026 - Managua Nicaragua Marathon. Host: City Express by Marriott Managua; other option Crowne Plaza Managua by IHG. Course: Lago de Managua loop around the lake. Travel 11/24/2026: Managua (MGA) to Guatemala Airport (GUA), Avianca Airlines 3:20pm with stop at SAL.
- 5. 11/26/2026 - Guatemala City Guatemala Marathon. Host: Hilton Garden Inn Guatemala City. Course: Avenida La Reforma in Guatemala City or Erick Barrondo Park. Travel 11/27/2026: Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Belize City (BZE), TAG Airlines or Tropic Air 11:55am.
- 6. 11/29/2026 - Belize City Belize Marathon. Host: Best Western Plus Belize City or Grand Resort & Residences. Course: Constitution Park or Memorial Park Belize City. Travel 11/30/2026: Belize City (BZE) to Cancun (CUN), TAG Airlines or Tropic Air 10:30am.
- 7. 12/1/2026 - Cancun Mexico Marathon. Host: Casa Nizuc Tribute Portfolio Resort Marriott. Course: Parque Ecológico Kabah or Ciclopista Boulevard Kukulcán. Travel 12/2/2026: Cancun (CUN) to San José (SJO), Volaris Airlines 11:22am.
- 8. 12/4/2026 - Costa Rica San José Marathon. Host: Hilton San José La Sabana. Course: La Sabana Metropolitan Park. Travel 12/4/2026: San José (SJO) to Quito (UIO), Avianca Airlines 4:45pm.
- 9. 12/6/2026 - Quito Ecuador Marathon. Race director: Jürgen Sinthofen (Vice president, Marathon Country Club). Host: Wyndham Garden Quito. Course: Parque Bicentenial (old airport) with 5K loop, or Parque La Carolina with 3.5K laps.
Course rules and timing
- The cut-off time is 9:00 after the start (No Runner Left Behind).
- Distance is controlled by timekeepers under the race director.
- Each runner must carry a GPS watch or other GPS device with at least 9 hours of battery capacity as an additional distance check.
Location
Casa Nizuc Tribute Portfolio Resort Marriott, Cancún, Q.R., Mexico Open in Google Maps
City insight: Cancún
Cancún is the largest city in Quintana Roo, on the northeast coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea just north of the Riviera Maya, with a Hotel Zone surrounded by ocean. It is hot all year, with little change between months and sea breezes that keep most afternoons below 36 °C. The dry season runs from November to April, the rainy season from late August to November, and hurricane season from June to November. November to April is the best time to race, though it stays warm and humid. The airport is about 20 minutes by car from the Hotel Zone.