Miami is a top destination for outdoor athletics thanks to year-round warm weather and an abundance of parks surrounded by palm trees flanked by water. While workouts and endurance events take place year-round in sunny Miami, there are a handful of major events that attract thousands of participants annually. From marathons and road races to triathlons and open swimming competitions, these are the events that draw athletes of all levels to Miami’s shores.
Marathons & Triathlons in Miami
Miami Marathon & Half Marathon
The Miami Marathon and Half Marathon is the biggest endurance event of the year. Every year at the end of January, more than 25,000 people from around the world compete in the 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half-marathon that winds through the city.
Runners start at the home of the Miami HEAT at AmericanAirlines Arena as they cross cruise ships at PortMiami and traverse the MacArthur Causeway to the ocean and South Beach. The route takes them under palm trees and back to the mainland through neighborhoods like Brickell, Coconut Grove , and Key Biscayne.
It is an exciting event not only for the competing athletes, but also for the spectators who line the streets in the early hours cheering on friends and family with drums, signs and well wishes.
Miami Iron Man 70.3
The Miami Iron Man takes place annually in October starting at Bayfront Park where competitors start with a 1.2-mile swim in Biscayne Bay, followed by a 56-mile one-loop ride to the Everglades and back to downtown Miami where they then compete in a 13.1 foot half marathon for a total of 70.3 miles. It is one of the most prestigious endurance events an athlete can complete.
Escape to Miami Triathlon
For an “oh-so-Miami” racing experience, the Escape to Miami Triathlon in September, attracts 1,750 athletes who depart on a ferry to “Escape Island,” where tiki torches and live music greet them as they prepare for their open-water sail to the mainland. Both Olympic (0.9 miles of swimming, 24.8 bikes, 6.2 races) and Sprint distances (0.25 miles of swimming, 13 miles of cycling, 3.1 miles of swimming) are available for competition.
South Beach Triathlon
At the South Beach Triathlon each April, participants run, bike, and swim along the beautiful shores of South Beach. Athletes swim 0.93 miles in the warm ocean waters, bike 24.25 miles across scenic causeways and ride 6.2 miles along South Beach’s Art Deco District.
Mercedes-Benz Corporate Career
The Mercedes-Benz Corporate Race is one of the most popular 5Ks in the city and provides suitability not only to individuals but to entire workplaces. In fact, it’s often called the city’s largest office party, where groups of colleagues meet among 25,000 other runners. It is the third largest 5K in the United States and the largest in Florida, donating over a million dollars annually to local charities.
Swim Miami
Swim Miami is an annual open water swim held every April where swimmers compete in one of four different swims: 800 meters, one mile, 5K, and 10K. The event takes place at the Miami Yacht Club on MacArthur Causeway.
Michelob ULTRA Miami Beach 13.1
The Michelob ULTRA Miami Beach 13.1 provides runners with a fun and scenic course along the beautiful canals of Miami Beach. Once runners cross the finish line, the celebration continues with Latin food and a beer in South Beach at the post-race party.