Aruba International Half Marathon (21K) 2026

Aruba’s longest-running point-to-point road race returns in early 2026: the Aruba International Half Marathon (21K) covers the island from San Nicolas to Oranjestad at daybreak, welcoming local and international runners to a coastal course with an early start and a firm 3-hour cutoff. Organized by IBiSA Aruba, the event traditionally departs at 5:30 a.m. from Joe Laveist Sport Park in San Nicolas and finishes near Alhambra Casino & Shops in the low-rise hotel area, with shuttle buses running before dawn for participants and Red Cross support posted along the route. While the 2026 date is released closer to year-end, official and recurring event pages detail the standard logistics, start location, finish area, and operations that define this classic 21K across One Happy Island.

What the race is

• Aruba’s point-to-point 21K: The half marathon runs the length of the island from southeast to northwest, beginning in San Nicolas and finishing by Alhambra Casino & Shops just south of Eagle Beach, a signature sunrise run with coastal breezes and flat-to-rolling terrain.
• Legacy event: It is one of Aruba’s oldest road races, managed by IBiSA (Aruba’s sports institute), drawing club runners, visiting athletes, and a sizable local field each year.

Date, start, and finish

• Date window: The 2026 edition is expected around March based on the 2024 and 2025 cycles, with the official date posted by IBiSA and tourism calendars once confirmed; the 2024 race ran on Sunday, March 10.
• Start time and location: 5:30 a.m. start from Joe Laveist Sport Park, San Nicolas, with participant shuttles leaving the Alhambra Casino & Shops parking lot between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m.
• Finish line: In front of Alhambra Casino Aruba, where families gather and race operations, sweeper support, and medical tents wrap up the event morning.

Cutoffs, support, and safety

• Time limit: 3 hours for the 21K; a sweeper vehicle follows the final participants.
• On-course support: Red Cross bike patrols and tents on the route, plus staffed aid and logistics provided by IBiSA.
• Buses and logistics: Pre-race buses from the finish to the start ensure smooth transport; runners should arrive early to board shuttles and organize gear.

Registration and divisions

• How to sign up: Registration details publish via IBiSA; recent editions processed entries at IBiSA offices in Oranjestad and San Nicolas with online payment options and participant caps, closing once sold out.
• Event caps and deadlines: For 2025, the half marathon closed when 1,000 paid entries were reached, with firm cutoffs for in-person payments; expect similar limits for 2026.
• Bikes and team events: In 2025, organizers also opened a bike event and team categories with separate caps and schedules; watch 2026 notices for these add-ons.

The route experience

• Course character: From San Nicolas through the island’s main corridor toward Oranjestad, the point-to-point layout is mostly flat with long, open straights, ideal for steady pacing.
• Climate: Pre-dawn start mitigates heat and sun; sunrise brings bright light and warming temps before mid-morning, making hydration strategy critical even with an early gun.
• Finish atmosphere: The Alhambra area offers space for spectators, shade, and post-race meetups near low-rise resorts and beaches.

How it differs from the KLM Aruba Marathon half

• Different organizer and season: The KLM Aruba Marathon half marathon is a separate World Athletics/AIMS-certified event in early June with a coastal loop between Eagle Beach and the California Lighthouse, a 5:15 a.m. start, and a beachfront finish at the Hilton, operating under a “runcation” model with a beach party and multi-distance schedule.
• Certification and extras: The June event offers certification, an official app with live tracking, finisher medals, and age-group awards across 5K/10K/21K/42K, with a shared beach party finish and a 4-hour half marathon cutoff.

Travel planning for runners

• Where to stay: Book in the low-rise Eagle Beach area or nearby hotels for an easy walk to the finish and shuttle buses; Alhambra’s adjacent parking and plazas simplify pre-dawn staging.
• Getting around: Taxis and rideshares operate early on race day, but IBiSA buses are the recommended option to the start; confirm bus windows and be at the lot before 4:30 a.m.
• What to bring: Lightweight kit, visor or cap, sunglasses for post-sunrise, hydration belt or plan to use on-course stations, and a dry bag for post-finish comfort.

Training and race-day tips

• Heat acclimation: Even with an early start, humidity builds; add heat sessions to training and practice fueling for warm conditions.
• Pacing: The open, straight layout invites even splits; target conservative first 5K in the pre-dawn dark, then build effort as light rises.
• Safety: Obey course marshals, watch footing at aid zones, and plan a rendezvous at Alhambra for family and friends.

Sample 3-day runcation

• Day 1: Arrival and packet confirmation at IBiSA; light shakeout along Eagle Beach; early dinner and gear prep.
• Day 2: Race morning transport, 5:30 a.m. start, finish by Alhambra; recovery brunch; beach time.
• Day 3: Explore Oranjestad and the California Lighthouse; optional recovery dip or snorkeling.

Why run Aruba’s 21K

• Classic island point-to-point: Few Caribbean halves traverse an entire island at sunrise with a smooth shuttle system and simple logistics.
• Supportive scene: Red Cross coverage, sweeper support, and a tight morning window make the event friendly for a wide range of paces.
• Beach-side finish: Ending near Alhambra puts runners within minutes of Eagle Beach recovery—arguably the best finish-line reward.

Verified details at a glance

• Name: Aruba International Half Marathon (21K).
• Organizer: IBiSA Aruba, with Red Cross route support.
• Start/finish: Joe Laveist Sport Park, San Nicolas to Alhambra Casino & Shops, Oranjestad.
• Start time and limit: 5:30 a.m.; 3-hour cutoff; pre-dawn shuttles from Alhambra between 4:00–4:30 a.m.
• Registration: Opens via IBiSA with caps and payment deadlines; 2025 capped at 1,000; 2026 details to follow.
• Distinction: Separate from the KLM Aruba Marathon half marathon held June 6–7, 2026, with a beachfront loop course, live app tracking, and a beach party finish at Hilton Aruba.

Set sights on a sunrise 21K that runs an entire island in one morning. Watch IBiSA’s announcements for the 2026 date, reserve a room near Eagle Beach for easy shuttle access, and train for warm, steady splits. Then toe the line in San Nicolas, stride toward Alhambra with the sun on the water, and celebrate a New Year of racing on One Happy Island.