Maratón de Cartago

The Maratón de Cartago is Costa Rica's largest marathon, held every April in Cartago, the country's historic former capital about 25 km southeast of San José. Organized by Grupo Publicitario CR and AIMS-affiliated, the event has run annually for years and its course is Boston Marathon qualifier-certified. The 42.2 km marathon and 21.1 km half marathon start together before dawn from Mall Paseo Metrópoli in downtown Cartago, wind through the historic city center past landmarks such as the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, then descend toward the mountain town of Orosi — a net drop of about 372 meters from roughly 1,427 meters above sea level at the start to 1,055 meters at the finish. The 2026 edition, run on April 12, drew 247 marathon starters and 1,282 half marathon starters. The next edition is set for Sunday, April 4, 2027, with a 4:00 a.m. start; registration typically opens several months out through Grupo Publicitario's website and the abuenpaso.cr platform, with 2026 entry fees tiered from $35 to $80 depending on distance and how early runners signed up. April falls in Costa Rica's dry season, so pre-dawn starts in highland Cartago are cool before the tropical sun rises.