Sidebar #33 - Running in Costa Rica

Running is a big part of who I am, and it has been an essential part of keeping me physically and mentally healthy during my Peace Corps service here in Costa Rica. I run almost every day, at least six days a week, and have participated in a number of races throughout the country. I’m not an expert on a lot of the sidebar topics I write about, but this is one I feel like I’ve got a pretty decent perspective on at this point.

How is the running culture in Costa Rica? In my opinion, it’s a mixed bag. I think there’s a lot of enthusiasm and interest in the sport, but the infrastructure isn’t great for it nor is Costa Rica churning out many elite-level runners yet. 

There is a running club in my cantón, Desamparados, and there are several running groups in San José, like the one I go to every Sunday, Un Club Secreto. The club in Desamparados is geared more towards people in that specific community and is made up of primarily middle-aged runners. On the other hand, Un Club Secreto, while open to everyone, comprises a demographic primarily between the ages of 20 and 40. I’m not sure which one started first, but according to my recommended pages on Instagram, there are many running clubs in San Jose which mirror Club Secreto. Each group meets on Sunday morning, runs an easy 5k, and afterwards finishes at a local cafe or coffee shop. These weekend clubs are social in nature and attract younger, affluent, and more educated runners. Almost everyone at my Sunday running club speaks fluent English and is decked out in high-end running gear, which certainly isn’t the reality I see in my community despite just being a few miles away.

I mentioned that the talent level isn’t that high here in running, but I don’t think it’s for a lack of interest. Colegios, or high schools, in Costa Rica don’t have formal athletics programs in most cases. That means that unlike the US, high school track teams don’t really exist. Most of the elite running talent in the US emerges from the high school and college ranks, but that isn’t a perk that Ticos have. In fact, the only Olympian that Costa Rica produced in track last year was a 400m hurdler, and he didn’t come close to competing for a medal. To me, that’s a pretty clear reflection of the lack of development in running at the youth level. 

With that being said, running appears to be becoming more and more popular nationwide, and that’s a great sign for runners like me. Like I alluded to, many social running clubs are sprouting up in cities like San José. However, despite talent not breaking through on the international level yet, the racing culture is fairly robust and that’s been something I’ve gotten to experience firsthand. There are big, standard races consisting of 5ks, 10ks, Half Marathons, and Marathons in cities like San José, Cartago, and Tamarindo. But, there are also really unique races in mountains and on beaches that are quite different from what I’m accustomed to coming from the States. You can read about them in some of my previous blogs, but the most memorable races for me so far have been La Candelaria in Cartago (a road 10k), Sol y Arena in Puntarenas (a beach 10k), and a 24k trail race I did on Lago Arenal. You can register for most races in Costa Rica through the same website, (Abuenpaso) which is also unique. I haven’t run incredibly fast in any race in Costa Rica, but it’s been a great way to travel the country and meet new people.

Finally, the training experience has been a bit of a mixed bag too. The terrain in Costa Rica is pretty rugged, and runners here have to train through a tropical climate year-round, often dealing with heavy rains or extreme heat. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the motivation to train solo, so that’s a big reason why I train with these clubs when I can. Even if the distance is shorter or the pace is slower than I’m used to, it’s a big boost to do it with others. Running tracks are hard to come by, although there are a few scattered throughout the San José metro area. I’m fortunate that there’s a big, open park in a town nearby where I can run, which is a luxury that most Peace Corps volunteers in Costa Rica don’t have. (It’s also where I’m hosting the community-wide running club led by 11th grade students.) However, the lack of good sidewalks in my community and steep hills to get there and back can be treacherous, so I’m frequently battling minor aches, pains, and injuries from the terrain. In all, I’m grateful to be serving in a place where I can consistently run and for the structure and social outlet running has provided me during my service.