Make room for a guilt-free Christmas feasting with an active week on the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados.  

 Run Barbados Weekend celebrates everything great about having fun in the sun. Concluding with a Half and full Marathon (at 05:30h start due to morning heat), the weekend commences with a 1-mile fun run around the Garrison Racecourse that attracts thousands of families and tourists alike. 

Sandwiched between both events lies Saturday’s 5km Walk, 5km and 10km race. Complete the longest iteration of all events to receive a Gold Medal, scaling down to Bronze for picking two of the shorter distances. Everyone’s a winner…. 

Wales and British & Irish Lion, Shane Williams joins MSG in Barbados as our tour host. No stranger to overseas adventures and racing, Shane competes around the globe representing his own Agilis brand in various disciplines (whilst occasionally lacing up his boots as well!) 

Of course, there’s no obligation to do anything in Barbados but sunbathe. Simply join our charity adventure by supporting fellow runners, family members and friends whilst adjusting to island life (which, we promise, is as chilled as their ice-cold Banks’ Beer, an event sponsor). 

If all that’s too much then consider the postrace catamaran cruise around the Caribbean Sea featuring snorkelling with turtles and rays, buffet lunch, live music and an open bar. 

Has that got your attention?

Our travel squad goes against the rugby touring grain by splitting into two race teams (relax, we’ll still sip rum together at night).  

One team captain has a zillion caps and tries for Wales, the Lions and more clubs than Nick Faldo (oh, and World Player of the Year in 2008), whilst the other boasts a running CV with 50+ marathon finishes and a decorated passport. 

Will you choose to represent Team Shane or Team MSG? Points mean prizes and your cumulative touring times are added to your team’s running total (excuse the pun). The lowest overall team time on Sunday gets the bragging rights for another year…with the losing captain coughing up £1,000 for Bowel Cancer UK.  

“Bowel Cancer UK are the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Having Shane and MSG represent us in Barbados is a wonderful boost for the charity, with all runners welcome to fundraise for their race on our behalf” 

Michael Locke, Bowel Cancer UK 

Early afternoon flight from London to Barbados 

Transfer to hotel 

BASECAMP 

Arguably, every hotel on the island is suitable for this type of event, but we’ve settled on the Dover Beach Hotel for 2025. This south-coast hotel offers spacious rooms with a pool and private beach. Located close to St Lawrence Gap places us perilously close to the vibrant nightlife, yet distant enough to offer that resort feel. Breakfast is included daily, whilst a group dinner is scheduled for our first night.  

Team Welcome Dinner  

Optional visit to a Harrison’s Cave and rum tasting (go steady) 

Evening Fun Mile (start of Run Barbados Weekend) 

 Free morning and afternoon 

Transfer to west coast for late afternoon 5km/10km run

03:45h departure to Half/Marathon 

05:30h – race start 

11:00h – return to hotel for beach / pool recovery  

Full day catamaran cruise featuring snorkelling, buffet lunch and open bar

CATAMARAN CRUISE 

Set sail from the capital, Bridgetown, for a full day’s boat party in the Caribbean Sea. Dive off the boat, swim with turtles and snorkel amongst the rays before the party kicks in after a sumptuous buffet lunch on board. The journey back to port is loud, colourful and supported by the flowing rum punch handed out in person by the attentive boat hands 

End of trip dinner

Morning at resort 

Overnight flight back to London 

 Arrive into London 

End of trip