The 2026 San Juan Night Marathon
Marathon # 576
Barefoot Marathon # 215
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 134
Date: June 23, 2026
My Time: 7:49:27
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
No, I didn’t fly or take a cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to run a night marathon!
Ten years ago, I ran the 2016 San Juan Harbor Marathon as part of 7 marathons in 7 days on 6 Caribbean islands and one marathon on the cruise ship. But this time I was just walking my 576th marathon in Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, when I unexpectedly spotted a large sign on the beach with the words “SAN JUAN” in capital letters.
As it turned out, the temporary sign was announcing La Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Night) which honors the birth of Saint John the Baptist and is celebrated across Spain with spectacular bonfires, fire jumps, and other festivities during the night of June 23 to 24, hence the name of my race. The celebrations in Playa del Inglés attracted more than 7,000 tourists and residents.
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
Barefoot Marathon # 215
Maspalomas Dunes Marathon # 134
Date: June 23, 2026
My Time: 7:49:27
By Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo
No, I didn’t fly or take a cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to run a night marathon!
Ten years ago, I ran the 2016 San Juan Harbor Marathon as part of 7 marathons in 7 days on 6 Caribbean islands and one marathon on the cruise ship. But this time I was just walking my 576th marathon in Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, when I unexpectedly spotted a large sign on the beach with the words “SAN JUAN” in capital letters.
As it turned out, the temporary sign was announcing La Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Night) which honors the birth of Saint John the Baptist and is celebrated across Spain with spectacular bonfires, fire jumps, and other festivities during the night of June 23 to 24, hence the name of my race. The celebrations in Playa del Inglés attracted more than 7,000 tourists and residents.
My book Running Barefoot for Human Survival is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book format (French edition: Courir pieds nus pour sauver les humains).
Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo finished his 576th marathon at an unexpected “SAN JUAN” sign.
La Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Night) in Playa del Inglés attracted in 2026 in the early evening.
La Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Night) in Playa del Inglés attracted in 2026 more than 7,000 tourists and residents.
Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo’s San Juan Night Marathon Garmin Data
Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo’s five private marathons in five days (June 18-23, 2026)
Dr. Barefoot Sidy Diallo’s San Juan Night Marathon Garmin Data and detailed course