The Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, in collaboration with the Ministry for Youth Development and Sports, will, for the fourth time, host a cruise tour operator specializing in sports cruise packages. This event will bring marathon veterans and enthusiasts to our shores, embodying the very essence of sports tourism.

The event will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025, in the Beausejour area from 9:00 a.m. The marathon will cover a 26 mile (2.1km) long circuit, starting and ending at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium and ending back at the stadium. Following this, the marathon group will meet with the young aspiring track and field athletes from St. Lucia’s Sports Academy.

Approximately thirty five (35) distinguished Marathon Globetrotters from fifteen (15) countries will participate in the Eastern Caribbean Challenge—an exhilarating series of six marathons across six countries, starting in Guadeloupe where the sports enthusiasts will embark on the MSc Virtuosa. This event is organized by Z Adventures, a pioneering marathon adventure-travel company. This event marks the challenge's second edition, following its successful debut in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Z Adventures is also known for hosting marathons in over forty (40) countries across six (6) continents (including Antarctica), including the Southern Caribbean Challenge and Western Caribbean Challenge.

This six marathons in six countries challenge begins in Guadeloupe on Sunday, January 5, with the first marathon. Afterward, participants will board the MSc Virtuosa, which sails to St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, and Martinique, where the final race will take place on Saturday, January 11.

Competitors range in age from 32 to an inspiring 82 years young. All participants are recreational runners whose goal is to complete marathons in as many countries as possible. Some hold world records in long-distance running, while others have ran marathons in over 100 countries.

The competitors come from diverse professional backgrounds—medical doctors, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and teachers—balancing their careers with a passion for globetrotting and marathoning.

Below are the names of some notable athletes in the group.

1. Dr. Klaus Westphal (Germany): A medical doctor who has completed over 500 marathons in 180 countries.
2. Alexander Scherz (Switzerland): A psychologist who has run marathons and ultra-marathons in over 90 countries.
3. Chau Smith (USA): At 74 years old, she is the oldest female to complete 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, with over 100 lifetime marathons.
4. Connie Ulep (Philippines): A nurse who has conquered 7 marathons on all 7 continents.
5. Jay Johnson (USA): A seasoned runner with a personal best of 2:31:00 and over 300 marathons in 60+ countries.
6. Muantawan Arsrairas (Thailand): A retirement runner who has completed 130 marathons in 108 countries.
7. Philippe Waroux (France): A veteran marathoner who has run in 140 countries.
8. Steven Fuller (USA): At 75, the president of Century Country Club has completed over 100 marathons and was the first to run a marathon in all 50 U.S. states.
9. Thomas Godlewsky (Germany): A rising star who has completed marathons in 90+ countries.
10. Mark Hudspeth (USA): An experienced globetrotter with 400 marathons across all 7 continents.
11. Joseph Church (USA): A 72-year-old veteran with over 200 marathons to his name.
12. Dr. Rich Holmes (USA): At 75, he has run marathons in over 130 countries, often accompanied by his wife, Jeanne Holmes, who has completed half-marathons in 80+ countries.
13. Karen Michelsen (Canada): The first Canadian to complete marathons on all 7 continents, with nearly 200 marathons in 80+ countries.
14. Ziyad Rahim (Pakistan): The visionary behind Z Adventures, holding 10 Guinness World Records and the distinction of completing half, full, and ultra-marathons on all 7 continents.