Did you know? We are giving away two trips to Run Barbados Marathon Weekend, including hotel accommodations by Sugar Bay Barbados and Bougainvillea Beach Resort, airfare, race entry, shuttle and food! Winners will be drawn from all entrants in the full marathon distance and announced after STWM Race Weekend!
American Kim Goff has won the Barbados Marathon a record-breaking 11 times! This year, will be Kim’s 25th consecutive visit to Run Barbados Marathon Weekend and in the post below she shares how special this event has been to her running career.
My Run Barbados Experience. By Kim Goff, 11 time marathon winner!
Photo Credit: Sporting Barbados
My first visit to Barbados was in 1991. I read about the event in the back of a Runner’s World magazine under the marathon schedule. I emailed the race director, told him of my success as a marathon runner, and expressed interest in competing in the marathon. I traveled to Barbados for 4 days on that first trip. I was captivated by the beautiful island so soon after my arrival. I left behind a dreary and cold winter and was suddenly on a lush tropical island with the most beautiful aqua water that I had ever seen. The race went very well for me. I had stiff competition with two other female runners for the majority of the race but held strong for the win. I was so touched by the many spectators along the route even though the race starts as early as 5 am. I’ll never forget how lovely the women and children looked dressed in their Sunday’s best awaiting their buses to church.
Those four days passed so quickly. I knew I would return the following year and I did. We came to make friends with many locals that year and another win was such a surprise. The third year, we decided to make Barbados our holiday and to take the children. They too fell in love with the beauty of the beaches and the friendly locals and another win in the women’s race was again icing on the cake! The years passed swiftly, and every December was so exciting as it held another visit to our second home. My many new friends would come out early to greet me along the course on race day and I came to know many by name. The tenth year was particularly exciting for me as it was said to be a world record for most consecutive wins in an international event.
It was not long before I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. After discussions with my physician, it was decided that radiation treatment could begin after I competed. I felt I owed it to my Bajan friends to set the world record and I did! Originally, I had planned to compete just for the 10 years, but decided to keep going. My daughter and son continued to return with me each year until they reached university. I was very sad when the marathon didn’t take place several years ago. I had planned on going for the 20 year mark but only made it 19. Since then, I have competed in all of the events during race weekend. I am a seasoned runner now, the legs are slow, but my spirit soars.
I have always encouraged others to visit Barbados and to 
partake in the Run Barbados series. It is a truly wonderful event with incredible participation of locals and visitors. I have had many travel opportunities during my running career. Barbados is a special place for me. I have been blessed with making lifetime friendships. I am very excited about competing in my 20th Run Barbados Marathon this year. This will mark my 25th consecutive year competing in the event. Last year my son returned, he was 6 during his first visit. Now at 25, he still feels the same excitement he did as a child. We did all of the events on race weekend in 2014. The Run Barbados organisers have been most supportive during my visits over so many years. I am truly grateful for the warm hospitality shown me by this great event.
