The Miami Marathon, which began in 2003, has gained widespread popularity over the years and attracted international attention. On Sunday, more than 18,000 athletes participated in the event, either running the full marathon or the half marathon, with runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes all crossing the finish line.
Paul Eyanae was the first to complete the full marathon, finishing in 2 hours and 20 minutes. Beth Marzigliano was the first woman to complete the full marathon. In the half marathon, Solomon Kagimbi and Nell Rojas emerged as the top finishers
Nell Rojas shared that the Miami Marathon served as a training ground for her upcoming full Boston Marathon. ‘The humidity was insane today,’ she said. ‘You have to run very intuitively—you don’t know how hard to push, or when it’s going to hit you. You have to pull back, but it’s hard to gauge how much, so it was great practice.’
Athletes from 77 countries traveled to take part in the marathon, with the largest groups coming from Colombia and Mexico. Colombia had the highest participation, with more than 2,000 athletes. Among them was Sergio Gomez, who trained for six months to compete.
The marathon’s route takes runners through scenic Miami landmarks, including the famous Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, and downtown, offering a vibrant and unique race experience. The event has grown in popularity over the years, drawing athletes from across the globe. In fact, participants from more than 77 countries take part each year, with the largest contingents typically coming from Colombia and Mexico.
The Miami Marathon is known for its challenging conditions, particularly its humidity, which makes it a tough race even for seasoned marathoners. However, many runners use it as a training ground for other prestigious marathons, such as the Boston Marathon.
Over the years, the event has become a celebration of athleticism, diversity, and community, with a festive atmosphere drawing in spectators and supporters along the race route. The marathon continues to be a major event on the running calendar, both for elite athletes and recreational runners alike.
