By Stefani Jackenthal From New York Post

As the official shouted “3-2-1! Go,” nearly a thousand international and local runners sprinted off the starting line with “The Final Countdown” blaring over the speaker.

In the sultry darkness, I could feel sweat dripping down my shins with each stride. It was 5 a.m. and already nearly 80 degrees on a breathless December morning in Grand Cayman for the 13th annual Intertrust Cayman Island Marathon, Half Marathon and 4-person Relay.
I tucked behind a small group, following their shadows as we zigzagged through dimly lit town streets. My heavy breathing filled the hot, humid air. My tank top and shorts were soaked within the first half-mile. “Hole!” yelled a guy in front of me. A family lounging on beach chairs, cheered from their front lawn. The house behind glowed with fabulous Christmas lights. It was surreal given the tropical milieu.

I ran next to a woman with a blonde ponytail. Our pace was fast — too fast for my winter conditioning. I let her go. I was one of the 245 international runners, from 13 different countries, on island for the race, but also for a tropical vacation — a “run-cation.”

The previous day, I snorkeled the clear turquoise water and swam with stingrays on the Stingray City Tour run by Red Sail Sports — and even kissed one, which Camanians say brings seven years good luck. After the race, I planned to rehydrate at West Indies Wine Company in Camana Bay, a terrific wine bar and store that offers 80 wines to taste by the glass.

While, Aliyia Patterson, 39-year-old Registered Nurse, from Lumberton, NJ, who was running with a group of friends from Black Girls Run of South Jersey, planned a post race catamaran sail to Rum Point for the Sunset Beach BBQ. “One of the greatest benefits of traveling for running events is that it gives me an exercise goal and keeps me active.” Says Patterson, who started running half marathons in 2011 to lose weight. “The reward is exploring the area. Its like killing two birds with one stone.”

The Caymans wasn’t Patterson’s first “run-cation.” She’d recently completed the Reggae Half Marathon in Negril, Jamaica — following it up with a spell at Jackie’s on the Reef Spa. The next day, she went ziplinning and finished her trip visiting a crocodile refugee and Appleton Estates Rum distillery.

Back in the Caymans I had reach the marathon’s turnaround point and ready for some rum. But the water and energy drinks, offered every mile, did the job to replace electrolytes. I settled in, running in the middle of (car-free) West Bay Road to avoid the sloping sides. The calm sloshing of the Caribbean Sea was interrupted by the clunky footstep of an approaching racer who blew past me.

Cheers erupted from a half dozen people pedaling stationary bikes along the side of the road at an aide station. A woman standing next to them held a sign saying, “I don’t know you, but keep going! You’re doing great!”

The Intertrust race has grown from 150 runners in 2002 to over 1,200 this year, with overseas participants steadily multiplying. And Intertrust is not alone. “There has been a significant shift in running from once being a single, solitary sport to becoming an inclusive, social way to stay fit, have fun – and see the world,” says Rich Harshbarger, CEO of Running USA. According to the 2015 National Running Survey, nearly 49 percent of the participants consider themselves “fun runners.”

Marathon tourism has become big business: London’s annual marathon reports scores of runners from abroad, while in Tel Aviv, 2,000 foreigners attend its marathon each February. Organizations such as Marathon Tours and Travel, Marathon Adventures and Polar Running Adventures offer run-cations around the globe. They manage travel logistics, craft local experiences and offer the opportunity to hoof it through exotic locales during events like the Great Wall Marathon in China, Antarctica Marathon and Easter Island Marathon — with hiking Machu Picchu as an optional extension to the race. Prices can range from $2,000 to $10,000 for the races and excursion — without airfare.

Some specialize in half-marathon and marathons in wine country, like the Marathon du Medoc. While, others assure race entry to World Marathon Majors like the New York Marathon, Tokyo Marathon and London Marathon.

“After the London Marathon, we ate fish & chips and drank beer in a local pub and after Paris, it was crepes.” Says New Yorker Jon Deaner, 46, who has run 21 marathons, including four internationally. “But, nothing was cooler than running the cobblestones near the Eiffel Tower during the Paris Marathon.” In Paris, Deaner’s race shirt read “Allez Jon Allez.”

Deaner typically arrives three or four days before the race to get over jet lag, while exploring the area. “I always battle with myself before the race.” He says. “Do I get out and see the sights or rest my legs?” He opts to go sightseeing.

As daybreak arrived on Grand Cayman, lavender skies hovered over the rippling sea and palm tree silhouettes came into focus. I spotted a blonde ponytail bobbing in the distance and felt a surge of energy to pick up pace. My feet squished in soaked shoes. With two miles to go, I caught and passed her.

I accelerated at the 12.1 mile marker to keep up with a tall competitor as we raced back into town. As I ran past a crowd cheering on a corner, a teenage girl yelled.

“You’re the third woman.” Holy cow! I dug deep, desperate for the finish and sprinted into the final turn and across the finish line. The loudspeaker blasted: “We have our third place woman in the half marathon!” I guess its true what they say about a good-luck kiss from a stingray.

IMAGES:

The author doesn’t shy away from sweat.Photo: Handout

Australia’s Outback happily gives us the runaround. Photo: Australian Outback Marathon

Hit the, er, snowy ‘streets’ of Antarctica.Photo: Anita Allen

Quick wits — clowns take to the streets of Medoc, France.Photo: Marathon Tours & Travel

For more on this story go to: http://nypost.com/2016/02/09/marathon-travel-is-hitting-its-stride/