Global marathon runners gathered in Saint Lucia this week for the Eastern Caribbean Challenge–a six-island marathon adventure organised by Z Adventures.
Ziyad Rahim, a Guinness World Record holder and adventure runner and entrepreneur with a strong background in financial services, is the founder and CEO of Z Adventures.
This unique sports tourism initiative attracted participants from 18 countries to compete across the Caribbean. Saint Lucia hosted the second leg of the challenge.
Speaking about the event, Rahim who holds 10 Guinness World Records in long-distance running, is the first athlete in the world to complete an ultra-marathon, full marathon and half marathon on each continent, emphasised the motivation behind the initiative.
“We are all part of the Marathon Globe Trotters, so our goal is to run a marathon in as many countries as possible,” he stated.
Rahim noted that some runners have completed marathons in over 150 countries, and they are determined to add to that count. He pointed out that the participants range in age from 13 to 82 years, showcasing the inclusivity of the event.
The event was made possible through a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Youth Development, and Sports, and various other agencies.
Tourism Officer Dipper Gidharry underscored the growing significance of sports tourism for the island.
“Our tourism industry has evolved significantly over the last few decades. We’ve moved beyond just sun, sea, and sand to include adventure, weddings, honeymoons, and sports tourism, which enhances our product offerings,” Gidharry noted.
“There is a clear demand for diverse experiences; more people now seek unique ways to engage during their leisure time. Sports tourism provides that avenue, attracting visitors to our destination.”
Clivus Jules, Senior Youth and Sports Officer, highlighted the importance of such events. He affirmed that collaboration between government agencies has been crucial to the event’s success.
“Sports tourism is part of our mandate, and we are proud to work alongside the Ministry of Tourism to execute this event. Partnering with enthusiastic marathoners to host this exceptional event has been rewarding,” he said.
The second leg of the fourth Eastern Caribbean Challenge, part of a series of six marathons across six nations, began on Monday in Saint Lucia. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information, in collaboration with the Ministry for Youth Development and Sports, this special event brought together seasoned marathoners and enthusiasts to the island.
A contingent of 35 marathon runners commenced the 26-mile (42.1 km) circuit, starting and ending at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium. The participants had disembarked from the MSC Virtuosa earlier that day.
Following the first race in Guadeloupe on Sunday and Monday’s event, the marathoners had the opportunity to meet aspiring young athletes from Saint Lucia’s Sports Academy.
The organizers expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from local authorities and volunteers, who have been instrumental in hosting this event for the fourth time since its inception in 2017.
After Saint Lucia the Eastern Challenge moved to Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and Martinique for the final race today.
The diverse group of runners includes doctors, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and teachers who balance their professional responsibilities with a shared passion for marathoning and global travel.