Haiti Guide: Running in Haiti

If you are curious to know if you can run in Haiti, you most certainly can - I have trained for and run a marathon and half-marathon while in Haiti. With that being said, how to go about running in Haiti can most certainly be an adventure.

Running in rural areas is, for the most part, amazing. Dirt roads, beautiful views, and most importantly, little to no cars or motos. As my friend Lisa, who is one of the most dedicated and bad-ass runners I know, put it, "Trail running in Oregon on the coast was awesome, but I seriously think Fond des Blancs, Haiti has some of the best trail runs anywhere in the world." 

Jacmel Marathon in 2015 by Let's Go Haiti Marathon
(credit: Gwenn Goodale Mangine)

On the other hand, cities in Haiti do not exactly have the most supportive environment for running. Sidewalks or roads with ample space, or for that matter any space, for runners are practically non-existent. Additionally, motor vehicle traffic does not exactly try to accommodate pedestrians. However, even in these circumstances, it can be done, you can run in cities in Haiti.

Running early in the morning is the best way to maximize your chances of finding some safe space on the streets. While some people advise to wait until there is at least some sunlight, I like the motto, the earlier the better. At 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning, there is practically no one on the roads. However, you will find dogs! They will nearly always bark at you and sometimes chase after you. So be prepared to encounter them whether you are in PAP, smaller cities, or rural areas. (I swear the dogs in Haiti are nocturnal. You will see them sleeping during the day and will find them more active at night.)

Ready to pounce! ...ok ok, it is
about to fall over sleeping
(credit: LiveSayHaitiBlog)

To deal with dogs when I was living in Fond des Blancs, a rural area, my running friend Lisa and I would always carry small rocks with us to help prevent dogs from chasing after you. (Throwing the pebbles at barking dogs most certainly helps deter chases!) However, if a dog does indeed chase after you, STOP RUNNING, turn around, "get big" by standing tall and spreading your arms out wide, yell at them, and throw your rocks at them. If you don't already have rocks in your hands, one of the benefits of Haiti is that you can usually find rocks or sticks nearby. And if by chance you can't find anything to throw at the dogs, snap your fingers at them while simultaneously pretending you are throwing something at them. I don't know how, but this snapping trick works. 

Lastly regarding dogs. If you plan to run/walk in Haiti, get the rabies shots as an extra step of precaution. Trust me, finding the appropriate treatment after you have been bitten by a dog is challenging….sorry mom, don't think I ever told you I was bit by a dog here in Haiti.🙈

Additional running tips:

The water "sachets" (small bags of water) make for great water sources during long runs as they fit perfectly into your hand. If you don't want to carry water or food, carry money with you for long runs as you will often find small boutiques with everything you need. Just be sure to scout the route first.

As in the United States, Sundays are your best chances to find the least amount of traffic on the roads.

If you do decide to run while it is still dark, be sure to have a reflector vest and/or a light. And if at all possible, run with a partner.

When running on roads with vehicle traffic, be prepared to have motos come uncomfortably close to you. Therefore, also be prepared to get out of the way! Drivers are not necessarily trying to hit you, but they are not looking to avoid you either. Remember, in Haiti it is the pedestrian's responsibility to avoid vehicles.

Jacmel Boardwalk
(credit: Familypedia)

Do some experimenting and/or research to find the best streets to run on in your area. -- In Petion-Ville, there is a park named Place Boyer with workout equipment. In addition to the equipment, there is a small loop around the park that is fairly conducive to running. And for an added benefit, in the morning, you will find other runners and people working out on the equipment. -- In Tabarre, there is a park right next to Aristide University. It has soccer fields, basketball courts, and a lot of open space. In the morning it is swarming with people working out. I think a lap around is close to a kilometer. Just be sure to wait for daylight in this area. -- In Jacmel, the boardwalk in the center of town is a great space to run during the week. It is a small back and forth, but there are no cars or motos allowed! And just like Place Boyer, there is workout equipment. So in the morning you will find yourself among dozens of runners, walkers, and people using the workout equipment. For long runs in Jacmel, the main road out of town towards Cyvadier is great, especially under the moon light. -- I haven't run much In Les Cayes, but my friends sometimes run on the road to Gele Beach which is nicely paved and doesn't have much traffic.

Running in the rural areas is great as there are little to no vehicles and it gives you a chance to explore. With that being said, because it is mostly trail running, it is best to run with some daylight. Additionally, learn how trails/roads are affected by rain as it can seriously impeded your ability to run your regular routes. Exploring new areas is great, but only take unfamiliar trails when you have time to get lost…not that this ever happened to me... To avoid getting lost, try and take turns at places with easily identifiable landmarks. You won't be encountering any large statues or shopping malls, but a uniquely colored house or a school or a church will do the trick.

Tip from my friend Ernesto: don't run too close to pigs...they have been known to chase runners (aka my friend Ernesto) and surprisingly, pigs can sprint well!

Jacmel 20k in 2016 by RunHaiti
with my friend Lisa

Avoid the heat. After my first few months in Haiti and having somewhat adjusted to the hot weather, I pushed the limits once and ran at 10am…in August. Bad idea. Felt like I was overheating and had to take breaks in the shade to cool down. I don’t recommend it.

But no matter how hot it is, run with a shirt on….My accidental running lesson on "vagabons".

Lastly, while running, be prepared to have a lot of people stare at you. There are some local runners, but it is not common to see running that isn't take place on the soccer field. But don't worry about it. People are just curious, so it doesn't hurt to occasionally say, "bonjou". And if you don't look Haitian, people will be staring at you whether you are walking or running…so you might as well run.

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Thanks for taking the time to read this post. If you have experience running in Haiti or any other challenging environments, I would love to hear your thoughts, tips, and tricks - especially recommendations for good places to run in Haiti.

And if you are interested in running in Haiti, check out the blog post: Haiti Guide: Running Events in Haiti