Like any world-class city, sport is a big part of life in Mérida, and all of Yucatán. That includes the state’s many softball and baseball diamonds, soccer fields, tennis and padel courts, but also the city streets and the state’s great outdoors, filled with tens of thousands of amateurs and weekend warriors, who have incorporated running as a well-rounded leisure activity.
Running in Yucatán, for fun, health, or competitiveness
Running culture is not really a new phenomenon in Yucatán—a few foot races, like the Mérida Marathon, the Turkey Race, and the Marine Marathon, have been running (pun intended) since the 1980s; the famed Uxmal-Muna Athletic Course has been held non-stop since 1973.
Beginning in the 2010s, several foot races ranging from five kilometers to full marathons started to be held in Mérida and a few other cities on the Península. As running culture continued to gain steam locally, so did the number and quality of races.
Are you looking to join in the fun? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, Yucatán definitely has something for everyone!
Leisurely runs
If you like to start your morning with a good run and find yourself in Mérida, you will surely enjoy a leisurely jog along Paseo de Montejo or a personal challenge at Salvador Alvarado Stadium. The Stadium, which offers many different kinds of athletic facilities either for free or at a low cost, has a 400-meter synthetic track.
Running on the city’s streets is usually very safe; while keeping an eye on your surroundings is always a good idea, the most pressing dangers tend to be barking dogs and uneven sidewalks.
If you’re planning to stay in Mérida for a prolonged period and prefer not to run alone, you may want to check out one of the city's many running clubs, like Runners Team Mérida or La Tribu Bacab. Most clubs have active social media accounts, and they’re all very welcoming to newcomers, so don’t feel intimidated.
Footraces in Yucatán
Yucatán has a wide range of races throughout the year. Many of them offer more than one category, so you can participate whether you’re a full-on marathon runner or just want to walk with your children, or even your furry friends!
In January: MaraT’hon Mérida
The first race of the year is one of the largest: the Mérida City Marathon, styled as MaraT’hon in honor of the city’s former name, T’ho. This race commemorates the anniversary of the city’s founding, January 6, 1542, and brings together hundreds of runners from all over the world, competing for a series of cash prizes in several categories, including a three-kilometer walk, five-kilometer footrace, plus the marathon and half-marathon.
The 2026 Mérida City Marathon will take place on Sunday, January 4
Notably, the Mérida City Marathon takes place entirely within the city’s Periférico. Spots are limited, but you can check out the official website to see if you’re still in time to join your preferred category. If not, don’t hesitate to check out the official route so you can watch the runners fly by!
MaraT’hon Mérida Banorte 2026
January 4, 2026
https://marathonmerida.dashport.run
In June: Maratón de la Marina
The Maratón de la Marina or Marine Marathon is not for the faint of heart, as it takes place during the hottest season in Yucatán. It is a commemoration of México’s Día de la Marina, on June 1, which in turn celebrates the importance of the country’s maritime activity.
The route of the Marine Marathon varies by year, but it is always a challenge. In the past, it has included portions run on sand, as well as overpasses and seaside curves. In 2025, the starting point was Mérida’s Plaza Grande, with the finish line at Progreso’s Museo del Meteorito. With marathon, half-marathon, and relay categories, it is still a fun race, as you’re guaranteed to have a fun time at the beach once it’s done.
Yucatán’s 2026 Maratón de la Marina
The 2026 Marine Marathon is set to happen on Sunday, June 7, with a route like last year’s. Marathoners will start at Mérida’s Monumento a la Patria, and half-marathoners, at the Komchén overpass. The finish line will be at the Malecón. Don’t miss out on the experience!
Maratón de la Marina
https://maratondelamarina.dashport.run
IG: volare.eventos
FB: Volare Experiencias Deportivas
In October: Carrera Atlética del Mayab (Uxmal - Muna)
The famous Uxmal - Muna race is the longest-running in Yucatán; since 1973, it commemorates the anniversary of Muna being officially named a “villa”, a category between a “pueblo (village)” and a “ciudad (city),” on October 4, 1875.
This footrace is popular for good reason. It begins with a unique experience, as the starting line is inside the archaeological site of Uxmal, under the shade of the famous Pyramid of the Magician. The route itself isn’t extremely tough (compared to a marathon, at least), but there’s definitely a certain degree of difficulty: despite being “only” 16 kilometers, it goes over some of Yucatán’s most hilly terrain.
These ups and downs make it a very demanding race, technique-wise; this is especially evident in the final miles, as Muna (where the finish line is) is atop the hill that shares its name. The incline takes you up to an elevation of “only” 60 m (200 ft), but being so close to the finish, that will definitely feel like a challenge. Once you get to the top of the hill and start making your way down, Muna locals will surely fuel your finish with their warmth and cheeriness. The cherry on top is that, here, in addition to the usual post-race recovery stations offering fruits and water, the Carrera Atlética del Mayab offers runners a plate of cochinita tacos. This might not seem like a big deal now, but after a 10-mile run through the Sierrita, believe me: you’ll feel those tacos are a gift brought down from heaven by the hands of the gods themselves.
Carrera Atlética del Mayab
FB: Carrera Atlética del Mayab
These are just a few of the races that take place in Yucatán throughout the year; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single weekend where there isn’t at least one happening somewhere. To find options to fit your schedule, you can also check out @carrerasenyucatan on Instagram.
World-class tennis in Yucatán
Twice a year, Mérida becomes a world-class athletic venue. In February, the occasion is a women’s tennis gala: the Mérida Open, a WTA 500 tournament that brings together the best female players in the world (32 for singles’ and 16 for doubles’) for a thrilling week for fans of the racquet sport.
Despite this being a relatively new tournament (first held in 2022), it has earned its rightful place in people’s hearts as good an excuse as any to visit Yucatán. If you’d rather watch from home (why would you, though?), the tournament’s highlight games are shown on ESPN and Disney+, at least in México.
The 2026 WTA 500 Mérida Open
The 2026 WTA 500 Mérida Open is being held from February 23 to March 1 at its usual venue, the hardcourts at the Yucatán Country Club.
Mérida Open WTA 500
Copa Mundial Yucatán
The Yucatán Tennis World Cup was first played at the Club Campestre in Mérida in 1987. Today, it stands as one of only seven J500 junior tournaments recognized globally by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Over its nearly 40-year history, the competition has hosted countless promising young players who have gone on to become massive figures in world tennis.
Many Yucatecan fans had the privilege of watching players like Andy Roddick, Coco Gauff, and Sébastien Grosjean compete right here, long before they became household names around the globe.
In its 38th edition, held in November 2025, the Cup welcomed nine of the top 20 female players ranked by the ITF (including the world No. 1, American Kristina Penickova), and eight of the top 20 players in the boys' rankings.
Copa Mundial Yucatán
FB: Copa Mundial Yucatán de Tenis
More athletic events in Yucatán
Foot races and tennis tournaments are not all that Yucatán has to offer. MTB races are also common, and well sought-after, as bikers love the challenge our sub-tropical jungle provides. There are also triathlon events, soccer tournaments, endless baseball and softball tournaments, and plenty more.
All you have to do is pick your sport, and get started. After all, you have to burn off those panuchos and salbutes somehow!
Cover photograpy by Nicole Tackert Moreno for use in Yucatán Today.
Collaborative piece by Alicia Navarrete, Magali Ramírez, and Carlos Rosado.
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 457, in January 2026.
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