Tamarindo starts the marathon and half at 4 a.m. because September heat and humidity are not negotiable. We get mostly flat coastal roads, but a roughly 70% rain estimate means wet pavement and later showers can matter more than climbing. The official program also includes 30K, 10K, and 5K races. Entry converts to about $75. Partners get surf, restaurants, and beach lodging within an easy walk of the start.
Better info coming — we're still verifying 6 fields on this race.
Why we'd pick it
- 120 m of climbing: rolling, not pancake-flat.
- Open registration — no lottery to lose.
- A non-racing partner gets a real weekend here — 5/5.
- Race day usually sits 24–31°C, about 70% chance of rain.
The course
The races start at 4 a.m. near Hotel Tamarindo Diria to escape the worst heat, then use mostly flat coastal roads and an out-and-back toward Huacas. The official program includes 5K, 10K, half marathon, 30K, and marathon distances. September is one of Guanacaste's wettest periods, so darkness, humidity, standing water, and later rain matter more than the low elevation.
