Marathon de Cali

"Cali pachanguero, Cali luz de un nuevo cielo, Cali pachanguero, Cali luz de un nuevo cielo" 💃

You may already know the city’s rhythmic anthem 🎶, performed by the local group "Grupo Niche". This group, originally from Bogota, fell for Cali’s charm, its vibe salsa, its party spirit, and decided to settle there 🏠. Since then, they’ve kept writing and composing to celebrate the praises of the "sucursal del cielo" (branch of heaven 🌠) internationally. A city that’s sure to charm you too with its diverse facets 🌓. And what better than a marathon in the heart of the downtown to explore quiet lanes, lively squares and the pretty corners of this festive capital ☀️? In May, to the sounds of trumpets 🎺, of the guiro, of the maracas 🪇, of the claves and of the bongos, come shake your hips and burn some energy among palms and colorful murals 🎨.

Regarding the physical aspect, you’ll get to perform surrounded by the world’s best athletes 🌍. The Marathon de Cali, known for its elevation and challenge 😓, attracts more every year than 5 000 participants from all backgrounds. Whether you’re after a race in tropical heat 🌴, or simply after an event that’s as festive 🥳 as it is athletic, you’re in the right place! For the iconic distance of 42,195 km 🫵, the start will be at the grand Jaime Aparicio sports complex Jaime Aparicio, where you can observe the city’s most impressive sports facilities, from the running track to the large swimming pool 🏊. That way, if you have any juice left at the end 🧃, you’ll already know where to head 😝. After a few kilometers, you’ll be spellbound by the beauty of the Iglesia La Merced and Iglesia La Ermita ⛪️, before crossing the Río Cali, which gently flows through the city of the same name. Once you reach the end of the straight, head south 🧭. Stay alert and you might spot on the road the Cristo Rey, a towering 26m statue 🗽 that overlooks Cali from the mountains. If you’ve been to Rio, you might note a resemblance to another very famous statue 👀. And to wrap it up, so the start is a party as much as the finish 🏁, the event village is set at the intersection of the two race landmarks. Whether you’re starting or finishing, everyone crosses paths, encourages each other and revels in the same spot 🫶. The routes of 15 km and of 4,2 km will also let you explore the city in a more relaxed way 🩴, in preparation for your next marathon 😈.

Cali, the capital of sunshine and salsa 🕺. The third-largest city in Colombia and nicknamed the "global capital of salsa", or Capital Mundial de la Salsa for the Colombians among us, this lovely Colombian city will show you a thousand colors 🌈. Depending on the season, you can notably find the Feria de Cali or the World Salsa Championships 🏆. If running is not your only passion and you also love moving your feet to the rhythm of the music 🎵, you won’t be disappointed. Historically 🏛️, Cali is also considered the sports capital of Colombia 🏋️‍♀️. Here’s a little cultural tip 📚: it’s the only Colombian city to have hosted the Pan American Games (the 1971 edition to be precise 🧐). If you’re looking to extend your trip, you’ll surely find plenty of cultural and historical activities! 👨‍🏫 Several places are set up to discover local specialties and legends: many salsa museums 🏺 are accessible, the Calima Gold Museum, the Cali Zoo 🦁 or the Caliwood Museum. On the food side, the masetas, the pan de bono, the pan of yuca, or the empanadas 🌮 will satisfy your never-ending appetite. Don’t hesitate to wander around the surroundings; you’ll find trails weaving through jungle, waterfalls and mountains. Nearby, the Parc National de Los Farallones 🌳 is especially known for its high concentration of rivers and water points. It’s ideal to extend the workout with hikes 🚶‍♂️ or bike rides 🚲. But be sure to keep an eye on the pumas, jaguars and ocelots prowling around for dinner 🍽️.

Finally, the Marathon de Cali is an opportunity to blend travel, music and physical effort in one experience 🤟. If "enjoy" is your motto and tropical temperatures 🏝️ don’t scare you, all you have to do is pack your bag and fly toward the starting line ✈️.