Running a half-marathon abroad: an immersion between Cali and Cartagena

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 — cofounder 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 had brought back a small miracle. Registration for the Cartagena Half-Marathon was already closed, but I had 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 an 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 will even be joining me for several races on my calendar this year.

Running abroad is also about this: discovering a different running culture and forging lasting bonds.

Running a half in a tropical climate: the Cartagena challenge

It was thanks to this Colombian training that I flew to the Caribbean coast to honour that famous bib. And I can tell you today, after running seven half-marathons in different countries: Cartagena was the hardest 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 are 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 total.

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 travelled extensively in Europe, the experience was powerful: the Spanish colonial heritage, the flower-filled balconies and the history-laden alleyways offer a striking contrast to the oppressive tropical humidity.

Then we run along the Caribbean Sea, where the heat and humidity test every fibre of your body. It is brutal, but it is sublime.

An experience that goes beyond the race

What makes this race legendary is also its support. 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, 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 a race bib

If I am sharing this adventure with you today on The Run Away blog, it is 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, bibs sell out incredibly fast.

At The Run Away, we organize the logistics, the good hotels, the transfers… But our real quest is to get that coveted bib. This small, numbered piece of paper is much more than the right to run: it is the key we go and find for you.

Our goal is simple: to let you experience a race abroad without worrying about the logistics. To make 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 turn a simple trip into an adventure that stays with you forever.