Rio de Janeiro Marathon
If you have questions regarding Marathon Tours & Travel’s Rio Packages please: EMAIL OUR TRIP DESIGNER or CALL 617-242-7845
Now is the time to experience South America’s most beautiful city and run along its famous coastline at the Rio de Janeiro Marathon. The name of the city is synonymous with sun, fun and rhythm of the sensuous samba. Few places on earth can match the hospitality, natural charm, beauty and excitement of this city. Now it’s your turn to discover it!
The Rio de Janeiro Marathon is one of the most picturesque marathons in the world. The 26.2 course hugs the beautiful beaches while the Serra do Mar Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for your marathon pictures. Christ the Redeemer towers over the course blessing the athletes as they pass through the city streets. An early start sets the stage to ensure you beat the heat of the day. You’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful marathon than Rio. There is also a half-marathon option, which is held the day before on Saturday, June 1.
In addition to the race, there is so much to explore in and around the area. We also highly recommend joining the optional three-night extension to the UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature – Iguassu (Iguazu) Falls.
The Rio de Janeiro Marathon is an Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Qualifying Race.
Meals Included
Daily buffet breakfast & Welcome reception
Transfers
Transport to and from the race start/finish
Accommodation
Choice of 3 or 4 nights accommodation
Entry
Guaranteed VIP race entry (in addition to the package price)
Excursions
Half-Day Sightseeing Tour to Corcovado
A Helping Hand
Support from the Marathon Tours & Travel team
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday, May 30
Arrive today in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and ocean waters and check into the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana. Tonight there will be a welcome reception at the hotel.
Friday, May 31
Today enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour visiting the famous Corcovado Mountain – a short and scenic train ride through the forest takes you to the summit. Here, 2,400 feet above the city, stands one of South America’s most famous and inspiring landmarks – the 125 foot statue of “Christ the Redeemer.” The panorama of the city below is testament to why most visitors consider Rio one of the most spectacular cities in the world. A stop at the Expo to pick up your race bib is also planned for today. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own. (Breakfast included)
Saturday, June 1
Half-Marathon Day! Transportation to the race start and back from the finish line is provided from your hotel. Come cheer on the half-marathon runners or enjoy a free day to explore Rio de Janeiro at your leisure. Join us this evening for an optional non-hosted dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast included)
Monday, June 3
Enjoy a leisure morning before transferring on your own to the airport for your flight home. If interested, we can help to arrange an optional half-day tour before your departure. Those joining the post-race extension to Iguassu Falls will have an early morning transfer to the airport. Details will be shared as the date gets closer. (Breakfast included)
Itinerary subject to change.
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Extensions
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Post-Race Extension | June 3 – 6, 2024
Iguassu Falls
It is challenging to describe the scale and beauty of Iguassu Falls. You will be able to visit the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian side to be able to fully experience one of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”. This is an adventure that should not be missed! Please find a copy of a sample itinerary below, dates of activities may change based on availability.
Monday, June 3 – You will have the morning at your leisure before the group transfer from the Fairmont Copacabana to the airport for your flight to Iguassu Falls.
Flight Schedule
- Depart: GIG at 3:35pm – Arrive: IGU at 5:50pm
Upon arrival we will check into the hotel for the evening. Dinner at the hotel will be at your own expense. (Breakfast included)
Tuesday, June 4 – This morning after breakfast, you will be treated to a tour of the Argentine side of the Falls. First, we will cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge with its lovely view of the Iguassu Canyon heading towards Iguacu National Park. Here we will visit the upper walkways, which allow a different perspective and more intimate contact with the Falls. The highlight of the trip is a visit to the suspended platform at the very brink of the Devil’s Throat! (Breakfast included)
Wednesday, June 5 – Today, enjoy a walking tour of the Brazilian side of the Falls. Starting from the hotel, a moderate walk brings us high above the river to a series of galleries with breath-taking views. Inside Iguassu National Park, we ride through the Macuco Trail in an open jeep-towed wagon permitting a free view of the fantastic scenery. During the ride, we stop for those who wish to take a dip in one of the Falls (optional). Next is the Macuco Safari, which an inflatable bi-motor boat will bring us up-river, passing the canyon to have a direct look at the rapids. Rocks, wildlife and a spectacular green landscape complete the scenery until it reaches the great horseshoe known as the Devil’s Throat. To top the tour off, the pilot will give everyone a splash by navigating through the spray of one of the Falls! (Breakfast included)
If time allows in the itinerary, we will offer the following optional tours:
- Parque das Aves – Bird Sanctuary
- Helicopter Tour of the Falls
- Churrascaria Show with Dinner at Rafain
Thursday, June 6 – After breakfast this morning, the group will transfer to the airport for your flight back to Rio to connect with your international flight home. (Breakfast included)
- Depart: IGU at 11:35am – Arrive: GRU at 1:15pm
- Depart: GRU at 2:05pm – Arrive: GIG at 3:05pm
Please be sure to book your return international flight home from the Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) after 8:00 PM.
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Packages & Rates
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Rio de Janeiro Tour | Four-Night Package: May 30 – June 3, 2024
Features:
- Four nights’ accommodation at the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
- Breakfast daily at the hotel
- Welcome Cocktail Reception
- Half Day Rio City Tour with admission to Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer)
- Roundtrip race day transfers to and from the hotel
- Post-Race Celebration Drinks
- Services of Marathon Tours & Travel staff
- Guaranteed VIP Race Entries (in addition to the package price)
- Access to the VIP Finish Line Area
- Exclusive VIP Lounge at Kit Pick-Up
- VIP area at the starting line with exclusive bathrooms and gear check
- Exclusive VIP Start Corral – Just after the Elite Runners
- VIP area at the finish line with exclusive bathrooms, buffet, lockers, gear pick-up and massages (for runners)
Iguassu Falls Extension | Three-Night Package: June 3 – 6, 2024
Features:
- Roundtrip airport transfers with English speaking guide
- Roundtrip Airfare to/from Iguassu Falls
- Monday, June 3, 2024
- Depart: GIG at 3:35pm – Arrive: IGU at 5:50pm
- Thursday, June 6, 2024
- Depart: IGU at 11:35am – Arrive: GRU at 1:15pm
- Depart: GRU at 2:05pm – Arrive: GIG at 3:05pm
- Monday, June 3, 2024
- Three (3) nights’ accommodation at the Belmond das Cataratas
- Daily buffet breakfast
- Private sightseeing tours on air-conditioned motorcoaches with licensed English-speaking guides
- Half-Day Walking Tour of the Brazilian side of the Falls
- Macuco Safari Boat Tour
- Half-Day Tour of the Argentinian side of the Falls
- All hotel taxes and service fees
- Services of Marathon Tours & Travel Staff (minimum 20 guests required)
Not Included:
- International round-trip airfare
- Airport transfers
- Race Entry Fees
- Optional Activities
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance
- Visa – New Requirement for Australian, Canadian and U.S. nationals as of January 10, 2024. You can apply for your e-Visa online here.
Airfare:
You should fly in and out of Galeao International Airport (GIG) in Rio de Janeiro. For those on the Iguassu Falls extension, please be sure to book your return flight home from Rio after 8:00 PM.Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance for U.S. Residents
Travel Insurance for Canadian Residents
Rates (all prices in US dollars and per person rates)
*The hotel has nightly entertainment at the pool from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Noise from the pool will be heard in the Ocean View Rooms.
Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Fairmont City View Room - SOLD OUT $1290 per person $2040 Deluxe Ocean View Room* $1605 per person $2670 Deluxe Fairmont Gold City View Room $1635 per person $2530 Iguassu Falls ExtensionBelmond das Cataratas (5*) Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Superior Room $2280 per person $3270 Race Entry FeesRace Entry Fee VIP Wonderful City Challenge Entry (42K & 21K) $335 per person VIP Marathon Entry (Sunday, June 2nd) $170 per person VIP Half Marathon Entry (Saturday, June 1st) $170 per person VIP 10K Entry (Sunday, June 2nd) $150 per person
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Hotels
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Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Ipanema (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
You will enjoy four nights at the recently renovated Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana. This is a five star property, ideally located along Copacabana Beach and is just a few steps away from the most famous beach in Brazil. This modern, luxury hotel is just minutes from downtown Rio.
Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (Foz do Iguassu, Brazil)If you are joining us on the Iguassu Falls extension, your hotel is the beautiful Hotel Das Cataratas, the only hotel located within Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. Enjoy exclusive access to this magnificent sight in the evening and at dawn, when the park is closed to other visitors.
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Event Information
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Race Date:
- Saturday, June 1 (Half-Marathon)
- Sunday, June 2 (Marathon & 10K)
Race Time:- 6:00 AM – Half-Marathon (Saturday, June 1)
- 5:00 AM – Marathon (Sunday, June 2)
- 8:30am – 10K Family Run (Sunday, June 2)
Course: The 26.2 course weaves through city streets starting and finishing in Flamengo on beautiful loop course. With the Serra do Mar Mountains rising inland from Rio’s fabulous shoreline, this scenery with oceans to your right and mountains to your left, makes this event one of the more picturesque marathons in the world. The half-marathon tour starts in Leblon and takes you through the most famous beaches in Rio (Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo and Flamengo).
Temperature: June is the late fall/early winter season in Rio, but the average temperature still is 70F (21C). The temperature drops to a comfortable 68F in the evening (18C).
Entry Fee:
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Wonderful City Challenge (42K & 21K) – $335
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Marathon – $170
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Half Marathon – $170
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10K – $150
Eligibility: The minimum age limit for the marathon is 21 years old, 18 for the half-marathon.
Time Limit: The course time limit for the Marathon is six (6) hours, Half-Marathon is three (3) hours and the 10K is 90 minutes.
Number Pickup: A time will be organized for the group to stop at the Expo to pick up your race bib during the city tour. The Expo is open May 30 from 9 AM to 5 PM; May 31 from 9 AM to 7 PM; and June 1 from 8 AM to 5 PM at Casa Maratona located at Marina da Gloria (Aterro do Flamengo).
Difficulty: Mostly flat, with heat and humidity.
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Registration & Booking
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Rates: Land Prices may change due to currency fluctuations or changes in any taxes or park fees.
Reservations and Payments: A completed tour application together with a deposit of $500.00 per person must be received before confirming your reservations. Final payment must be received by March 15, 2024.
Cancellations: All payments, including your deposit, are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Non-transferrable includes applying your balance to another person, another year or another trip. Should you cancel for any reason, you will forfeit your trip investment. Therefore, travel insurance for every trip is highly recommended. All cancellations must be received in writing.
Not included in price: All items not specifically listed under tour features. The race entry fee and required Brazilian visa is additional.
Insurance: For your protection, trip cancellation, baggage, health and accident insurance is highly recommended for all participants. However, no representation or description of the insurance made by our staff constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the insurance.
Travel Insurance for U.S. Residents
Travel Insurance for Canadian ResidentsSecurity Policy: Marathon Tours & Travel’s security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package. If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and /or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.
Responsibility: These tours are operated by Marathon Tours, Inc. of Chelsea, MA who acts only as an agent for the passenger to the companies offering such services and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by any reason whatsoever by any party offering such services. All terms and conditions offered are governed by the laws of Massachusetts. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure with a refund, less applicable credit card and processing fees, made as full settlement to the passenger. The right is reserved by Marathon Tours, Inc. to deny acceptance of a booking application by any person. Marathon Tours, Inc. may make any changes or alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary for the proper handling of the tour. The sole responsibility of any airline used is limited to that set out in the passenger contract evidenced by the ticket. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that the passengers are not on board their aircraft.
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Testimonials
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"Loved being around all the runners and having conversations with like-minded people..." - 2023
Loved being around all the runners and having conversations with like-minded people. All the activities were just fabulous. Corcovado and SugarLoaf and the views from each of those were breathtaking. The hotel was amazing located on beautiful Copacabana Beach
"Ann really knows the Rio de Janeiro Marathon and she shared that wealth of experience..." - 2023Ann really knows the Rio de Janeiro Marathon and she shared that wealth of experience with the runners. When you are in a foreign country and preparing for a marathon, having someone like Ann available to us is a tremendous resource.
"Great trip all around! Perfect hotel location..." - 2023Great trip all around! Perfect hotel location. Good tour to Christ the Redeemer. Loved the VIP portion of race.
"My wife and I are very impressed with you and Marathon Tours..." - 2020My wife and I are very impressed with you and Marathon Tours. We truly appreciate your hard work, understanding, and flexibility during these very difficult times. I can’t wait to go on another trip with Marathon Tours as soon as feasible. I look forward to that day and hope it is sooner rather than later. Good luck to both you and Marathon Tours.
"What did I like best? How it facilitated me to meet some incredible liked minded people..." - 2019What did I like best? How it facilitated me to meet some incredible liked minded people who have this crazy passion for running too. The ease and organisation of the tour operators which meant I could achieve my dreams without worrying about the practical stuff.
"Without a doubt I would recommend these tours..." - 2019Absolutely! Without a doubt I would recommend these tours and participate in another trip myself again. It was my first marathon and my first experience of joining a tour group of such a kind. It was beyond what I could ever have imagined. I met so many amazing people who I felt like I’d known for years not just days. I was made to feel important and welcomed as part of the group especially when I found out I was the only one who hadn’t run a marathon before. I can honeslty say the trip was one of the happiest times in my life. Marathon Tours enabled me to reach and achieve my dreams and I have met friends for life that have inspired and encouraged me. I will always be so grateful for these special days and the experience that I had in Rio. Thank you so much.
"I would recommend Marathon Tours without hesitation..." - 2019Thanks for a great experience. I would recommend Marathon Tours without hesitation to other runners and their families. I like the way families are included and encouraged to come along, that is really important for all involved in the run.
"I can't say enough good things about Ann and Jane..." - 2018I can’t say enough good things about Ann and Jane. Well organized, knowledgeable and you can tell they are passionate about Rio.
"It's a top quality experience..." - 2018It’s a top quality experience. I know Marathon Tours & Travel does a great job at selecting the best hotels and tour guides. This was certainly true for Rio.
"Well organized fun in the sun!" - 2017Well organized fun in the sun!
"...A great experience in a world famous beautiful city..." - 2017It was a great experience in a world famous beautiful city.
"Marathon Tours & Travel does a great job..." - 2017Marathon Tours & Travel does a great job to make sure runners are taken care of with pre and post logistics of running a marathon in a foreign country allowing participants to focus on the task at hand.
"Special thanks to Ann and Jane..." - 2016Special thanks to Ann and Jane – they genuinely care. I can’t wait for my next Marathon Tour.
"Wonderful course along the beaches and by the sea..." - 2016Wonderful course along the beaches and by the sea, very good organization from Marathon Tours, fantastic food in Brazil, very good restaurant recommendations on your list.
"Can't say enough about Ann and Jane..." - 2015Can’t say enough about Ann and Jane. Really appreciate their hard work. And I noticed after the marathon, they were VERY conscientious about everyone’s health and well-being (and some of us needed exactly that).
"Just BEING in Rio was something to remember!" - 2015I went for the Marathon, so that was the big ticket for me. Wife Neva was blown away by Iguassu Falls. Just BEING in Rio was something to remember!
"The beaches were beautiful and a new city to explore is always fun..." - 2014The beaches were beautiful and a new city to explore is always fun (especially with the buzz from the World Cup); however the most enjoyable part of the trip was meeting new people and making some strong friendships amongst the marathon group.
"The opportunity to meet and interact with like-minded runners..." - 2014The opportunity to meet and interact with like-minded runners. I also appreciated the fact I didn’t need to worry about race day logistics.
"Rio is a great destination for beach, history, beautiful sites..." - 2013Rio is a great destination for beach, history, beautiful sites, food and culture in South America and at the perfect weather time for a marathon, except this year was a little too warm.
"It's RIO! A place that most folks would like to visit one day..." - 2012It’s RIO! A place that most folks would like to visit “one day”. The beaches were terrific and just to actually get to see the Christ the Redeemer statue up close and personal was awesome.
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Recommended Resources
Meet the Reps
Ann Haebler
Senior Trip Designer
Ann Haebler
Senior Trip Designer
Ann joined the Marathon Tours & Travel team after spending five years working as Group Sales Manager for a domestic tour operator specializing in train travel. She has now been a member of the team for eight years and hopes to continue to expand her knowledge of the world. Since her seventh grade world geography class, she has had an interest in learning about all the world has to offer.
During her time majoring in geography at the University of New Hampshire, her love of travel really kicked into high gear after spending a semester abroad in Australia. Let’s just say it was love at first flight! She has completed several half-marathons, 10K and 5K’s around the globe and in her local community.
Ann currently manages trips to Bhutan, Dragon Challenge, Comrades Ultra Marathon, Rio de Janeiro, Big Five, the Australian Outback, Sydney, Cape Town, Dublin and Patagonia in addition to being an Oceania Cruise Line Specialist.
