In 2012, people anxiously awaited the arrival of December 21 as many experts believed that the ancient Maya calendar had determined that this was the date when the world would end. In homage to Belize’s long history as an epicenter of Maya culture, organizers held a special End of the World marathon to allow athletes to commemorate the prediction with a 26-mile foot race along the golden sands of the Placencia Peninsula.
History as we know it did not come to a noticeable end on December 21, 2012, but the original End of the World Marathon was a smashing success. Now an annual event, this year’s End of the World Marathon will be held on December 4, 2016. Beginning at 5:30 a.m., runners will depart from Placencia Village to race up the peninsula, passing through the village of Seine Bight and Maya Beach.
After reaching a point south of Riversdale, runners will be joined by participants in the half marathon, all competitors racing to be the first to run back down the peninsula and cross the finish line at Placencia Village. The competition is open to both local and international runners, but registration for the event closes on October 16, 2016.
All proceeds from the End of the World Marathon go towards providing secondary education scholarships for local children on the peninsula.
Where to stay in Placencia
The lovely resort of Laru Beya is the perfect place to stay to catch all the excitement of the End of the World Marathon as runners will pass by just a short distance from the resort. Located just a short walk away from the finish line at Placencia Village, Laru Beya features ocean view rooms and beachfront suites each fronting the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
In between watching all of the excitement of the End of the World Marathon, guests at Laru Beya can enjoy gourmet meals at the on-site restaurant, pamper themselves at the full-service spa, take a swim in the gorgeous infinity swimming pool, or head out for exciting adventures like touring the lush natural beauty of the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve on the mainland or enjoying world-class snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing on the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.
