Mountain run near Cali with a local coach, ahead of a race abroad.
Running a race abroad isn't just about adding another medal to the wall. It's about living a country differently, meeting a local crew, and discovering a destination through the effort.
This past January and February, Stéphane — co-founder of The Run Away — flew to Colombia with one specific goal: to run the Cartagena Half-Marathon. An intense athletic adventure, between mountains, tropical humidity and unforgettable encounters.
Finding a bib for a race abroad
Some trips leave a deeper mark than others.
Not because of the monuments you visit, but because of the people you meet along the way, and the start lines that change you.
In my carry-on, I'd brought back a small miracle. Registration for the Cartagena Half-Marathon was already closed, but I'd taken a shot in the dark and written directly to the organisers.
And against all odds, I landed an unexpected bib.
For me, it was a sign.
I had to find a way to prepare for this race.
But how do you stack the miles, alone, in a city you don't really know yet?
That's often the first hurdle when you want to run a race abroad: getting a bib for a sought-after event.
Training abroad: the power of the local crew
At the beginning of my stay, I went for a exploratory run around the large stadium in Cali, a vibrant city nestled between two majestic mountain ranges.
Deep down, I secretly hoped to run into a group of local runners.
I saw them, approached them, and got the contact information for their leader, a man named Hugo Gomez.
Hugo welcomed me into his training group with a kindness that still gives me goosebumps. Overnight, my daily routine changed.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I was on the track by 5:30 a.m. On Saturdays, we set off on fantastic long runs on the trails of the surrounding mountains.
I was no longer a tourist; I was immersed in my passion.
Today, Hugo (who, by the way, has climbed the legendary Cerro de las Tres Cruces 22 times in a single push—the equivalent of Everest!) has become a true friend and my remote coach. He'll even be joining me for several races on my calendar for this exciting year of 2026.
Running abroad is also about this: discovering a different running culture and forging lasting bonds.
Running a half-marathon in a tropical climate: the Cartagena challenge
It was thanks to this Colombian training that I flew to the Caribbean coast to honor that famous race number.
And I can tell you today, after running seven half-marathons in different countries: Cartagena was the most difficult race, but also the most beautiful and extraordinary of my life.
To avoid the worst of the heat, the race starts very early in the morning.
Imagine the atmosphere: you're in the heart of Cartagena's iconic port, an unusual location for a race start. You weave your way through enormous shipping containers under a still-dark sky.
Suddenly, a Colombian navy ship projects huge arches of water to celebrate the runners. Fireworks explode, music blares.
The excitement is palpable.
Then, we're off.
The course is a visual feast. We leave the industrial port behind and plunge into the old fortified city.
For me, having traveled extensively in Europe, the experience was powerful: the Spanish colonial heritage, the flower-filled balconies, and the history-laden alleyways offered a striking contrast to the oppressive tropical humidity.
Then we drove along the Caribbean Sea, where the heat and humidity felt like they were testing every fiber of your being.
It was brutal, but it was sublime.
Cartagena Half Marathon:
Discover all the details of your running trip to Cartagena: program, accommodation, support, and guaranteed race bib.
An experience that goes beyond just racing
What makes this race legendary is also its support system.
Along the course, we crossed a naval base and an army base. Throughout these sections, Colombian soldiers were lined up to salute and encourage us.
And the finish line?
Pure madness.
As I crossed the line, near the old town, army fighter jets were slicing through the sky overhead.
A uniformed soldier placed the medal around my neck.
The discomfort of the humidity instantly vanished, replaced by the warmth of the post-race village, where Colombian hospitality and celebration were in full swing.
The true power of the race number
If I'm sharing this adventure with you today on The Run Away blog, it's because it perfectly embodies our vision.
The Cartagena Half Marathon is a hidden gem, one that doesn't immediately spring to mind. Yet, the enthusiasm is so great that for the 10,000 runners expected, race bibs sell out incredibly fast.
At The Run Away, we organize the logistics, the beautiful hotels, the flights… But our real quest is to get that coveted race bib. This small, numbered piece of paper is much more than just the right to run. It's the key we'll find for you.
Our goal is simple: to allow you to experience a race abroad without worrying about the logistics. This race bib is the promise of taking you somewhere else.
Of making you cry tears of joy as a fighter jet flies overhead in Colombia.
To help you meet lifelong friends on a running track in Cali.
And to transform a simple trip into an adventure that will stay with you forever.
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