On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Antigua and Barbuda hosted its milestone 10th Annual Run in Paradise Race, drawing more than 380 registered competitors from across the Caribbean, North America, Europe and beyond to reinforce the nation’s standing as one of the world’s most desirable sports tourism hotspots.
What began as a small regional event a decade ago has evolved into one of the Caribbean’s most iconic and scenic road races, attracting participants from a wide swathe of countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guadeloupe. Runners competed across three distinct distance categories: Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, with every route concluding along the sun-drenched, postcard-perfect shores of Fort James Beach.
Race Director Stanley Humphreys marked the 10th staging as one of the most successful editions in the event’s 10-year history, crediting the overwhelming international turnout and widespread community support for the event’s ongoing success.
“We are truly overwhelmed and grateful for the response this year,” Humphreys said in a post-race statement. “To see so many runners travelling to Antigua specifically for this event speaks volumes about how much Run in Paradise has grown over the last decade.”
Humphreys added that the largest group of international participants originated from the United States, with nearly 100 American runners making the trip, including a 40-member squad called LatinasinMotion. More than a dozen runners from Guadeloupe also crossed the Caribbean to compete in this year’s event.
Athletes repeatedly praised the race for its one-of-a-kind experience, describing the event as “beautiful” and “amazing” that stands apart from any other destination race in the region. For the large contingent of returning runners, the winning combination of rolling, challenging terrain, jaw-dropping coastal scenery and the famously warm hospitality of Antigua and Barbuda has secured Run in Paradise a permanent spot on their annual racing calendars.
This year’s Half Marathon delivered one of the most historic moments in race history, as a new course record was set by first-time competitor Alex Beach, a runner from Miami. Beach crossed the finish line in a blistering time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and 57 seconds to claim the top spot and reset the benchmark for the 21-kilometer route. Homegrown talent Kamar Thomas of Antigua and Barbuda turned in an outstanding performance to take second place with a time of 1:20:22.
In the shorter distance categories, Guadeloupe secured two championship titles: Christina Laurent claimed the overall 5K crown, while compatriot Jordan Parraire crossed first in the 10K race.
Beach, who was competing in Antigua and Barbuda for the first time, called the event a “super unique experience,” emphasizing that the island’s unspoiled natural beauty and warm, welcoming atmosphere were the standout highlights of his trip.
“The course was beautiful the entire race,” Beach explained. “The hills and wind definitely made it challenging, but the early start helped keep the temperatures manageable. By the final 5K, the wind shifted behind us which really helped with the finish. Reaching the beach at the end was an incredible reward after such a tough run.”
Beach also noted that the race’s early start allowed all competitors to cross the finish line by 6:20 a.m., leaving the rest of the day free to explore the islands’ attractions, making the event a perfect fusion of competitive running and Caribbean leisure. The newly crowned champion already plans to return for future editions and says he will encourage more runners from the United States to visit Antigua and Barbuda for what he calls an ideal “destination race.”
Beyond competitive results, the 10th edition featured dozens of inspiring personal stories from participants. Among them was Joseph Emas, who completed his 165th career half marathon at the event, and another runner who hit a new personal best after leaning on the motivating mantra “I will persist until I succeed.”
As organizers celebrate a decade of consistent growth and achievement, they note that the event continues to outperform expectations while introducing thousands of international visitors to Antigua and Barbuda’s standing as a world-class hub for sports tourism, wellness and outdoor adventure. The successful 10th staging further solidifies the race’s expanding global appeal and its growing contribution to the nation’s tourism sector, local community engagement and culture of active living.