Americans to Run Side by Side With Cubans During 2012 Marabana Havana Marathon on November 18

Insight Cuba, the Official U.S. Travel Provider for the Marabana Havana Marathon Announces Exclusive, Authorized Five-Day Program for Runners

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Avid marathon runners, who like to collect passport stamps along with their completion medals, can set their sights on the Marabana Havana Marathon this year. Insight Cuba, the official U.S. travel provider for the Marabana Havana Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, is offering Americans the exclusive opportunity to legally participate in this momentous run through Havana on Sunday, November 18, 2012.

"Sport and athletic competition continues to be the great global conduit to bring people, cultures and countries together," says Tom Popper, President of Insight Cuba.  "This year, a nearly decade long dream is being realized in the ultimate people-to-people experience, a 26.2 mile marathon through the neighborhoods of Havana.  We are excited that Americans can participate in this beautiful event that has been largely impossible for U.S. runners since 1963. It will be a day of triumphs, both individual and collective, as Americans run side by side with Cubans."

Insight Cuba, the leading provider of authorized people-to-people travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens has created a five-day/four-night program that will run November 15-19.*  Established in 1987, the Marabana Havana Marathon draws an international crowd, comprised of some of the world's top runners.

"We are proud to partner with Insight Cuba and provide Americans this very special opportunity," said Carlos Gattorno, race director of Marabana Havana Marathon.  "We look forward to having hundreds of runners from across the U.S. at the starting line, bridging the divide between countries."

One of the Caribbean's premier sporting events, the course winds its way through magnificent avenues lining the UNESCO World Heritage city and past historic places of interest, including the famous Malecon – a broad esplanade, roadway and seawall which stretches along the coast of Havana from the mouth of Havana Harbor in Old Havana to the vibrant neighborhood of Vedado. Along the way, runners can take in the sights of the historic and symbolic Hotel Nacional de Cuba, expansive Revolution Square, and the monument tribute to national hero Jose Marti. The course passes through the Parque Central, the hub of Havana's social activity where heated discussions take place about the national sport, baseball, as well as the impressive Cabana Fortress, Morro Fortress and the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, which protect Havana's beautiful harbor.

In addition to the marathon, runners will also enjoy exclusive people-to-people encounters, which will include memorable meetings with both Cuban runners and disabled athletes. Informative tours of the University of Sports "Manuel Fajardo" and Sports Medicine Institute in Havana will also be featured.

Insight Cuba's November 15-19 Marabana Havana Marathon program includes:

• Marathon entry fee
• Medical check-up
• Most meals, including a marathon pasta lunch on Saturday afternoon**
• First-class hotel accommodations in Havana
• Cuban host to facilitate all marathon details and people-to-people activities
• All entrance fees to scheduled activities and events
• All in-country ground transportation and transfers
• U.S. Treasury Department license and Letter of Authorization
• Travel insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance and medical trip cancellation coverage 

Prices for the five-night Marabana Havana Marathon program are $1,995 per person double occupancy; $2,295 single occupancy. Runners may participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K. Space is limited. For more information on the Havana Marathon program and other Insight Cuba travel tours, visit www.insightcuba.com or call 1-800-450-CUBA (2822).

*Due to restrictions regarding travel to Cuba for U.S. citizens, Insight Cuba holds a people-to-people specific license allowing Americans to legally travel to Cuba under its license.  The license is an annual license and is due to be renewed in 2012.

**Runners will have lunch on their own after the marathon to explore different culinary options.

About Insight Cuba

Insight Cuba is a leading expert in Cuba travel, and a division of Cross-Cultural Solutions, an independent not-for-profit organization and leader in international volunteering and people-to-people cultural exchange with over 26,000 alumni since its inception in 1995. Insight Cuba has developed in-depth tours in Cuba, encompassing both spontaneous and planned activities. These immersive, unforgettable experiences have helped make Insight Cuba the largest, most highly regarded provider of specific-licensed people-to-people cultural travel to Cuba.

SOURCE Insight Cuba