Malecón forms part of Marabana route on 15 November

The Malecón in Havana forms part of the Marabana route on 15 November 2026, when Cuba's major road race returns for its 40th edition. The course starts and finishes near Revolution Square, then reaches the seafront before continuing through central Havana and Vedado.

The official race information lists a 6am start on Sunday, 15 November 2026. The route and date give visitors a specific reason to include the seawall in their plans during a race that will affect one of Havana's main coastal roads.

Marabana brings a race route to the Havana seafront

Marabana offers a marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K. The official organiser, the National Commission of Races and Walks, lists the race date, start area and registration details on the official race information page.

The marathon begins at Sala Ramon Font on Independencia Avenue, between 19 de Mayo and Avenida Salvador Allende, beside Revolution Square. The course then follows named streets including Reina and Prado before reaching the Malecón, Calzada, Calle 23, Avenida 26 and other Havana roads.

The 2026 regulations state that the race uses only the far-right traffic lane on the Malecón, Calzada, Calle 23 and Avenida 26. That arrangement connects the event directly to the seafront while leaving the rest of each listed road outside the designated race lane.

A seawall built for Havana's northern coast

Officially called Avenida de Maceo, the Malecón is an eight-kilometre esplanade, roadway and seawall running from Old Havana towards Vedado. The boulevard was initiated during the period of US military rule and took about fifty years to complete, according to the Place Journal background.

Construction of the first section began in 1901, and the original purpose was to protect Havana's northern coast from waves and coastal damage. The structure is therefore more than a promenade: it is a road, a sea barrier and a continuous urban edge between the city and the water.

That history gives the Marabana route a clear relationship with the landmark. Runners will not simply pass a famous Havana road; they will use a section whose coastal engineering shaped the city's connection with the sea.

The race's international status is also documented by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, whose Cuba event listing confirms Marabana's next event for 15 November 2026.

Visiting Malecón: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Marabana takes place on 15 November 2026, starting and finishing at Sala Ramon Font on Independencia Avenue beside Revolution Square, while the course reaches the Malecón.
• Visitors should expect the far-right traffic lane on the Malecón to be assigned to the race, as stated in the 2026 regulations; no separate road-closure list has been published on the official information page.
• The landmark is Havana's coastal roadway and seawall, officially Avenida de Maceo, extending from Old Havana towards Vedado.
• The course is entirely on paved roads, while the seawall section runs beside the water before the route turns inland through Havana streets.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Malecón

When does Marabana take place at Malecón?

Marabana takes place on 15 November 2026, with the course passing along the Malecón after starting near Revolution Square.

What is Malecón in Havana?

It is an eight-kilometre esplanade, roadway and seawall officially known as Avenida de Maceo, running from Old Havana towards Vedado.

Where is Malecón and how do you get there?

The seafront route runs along Havana's northern coast. The Marabana start and finish are at Sala Ramon Font on Independencia Avenue beside Revolution Square.