Endurance sports travel surge drives rise in ‘racecations’

A growing trend known as ‘racecations’ or ‘sweat jetting’ is seeing travelers increasingly combine leisure trips with participation in endurance sporting events. Data from Google, Tripadvisor, and insurance provider SportsCover Direct indicate a significant surge in interest for sports-focused travel.

Google searches for ‘marathon abroad’ have increased by 1,255% over the past year. Specific cities hosting major events have seen massive spikes in interest, including Hamburg, Lisbon, and Munich. The autumn season is a particularly high period for this trend, accounting for approximately 42% of the marathon calendar in Europe, featuring major races in Berlin, Amsterdam, Budapest, and Lisbon.

Insurance data shows a 77% year-on-year increase in travelers seeking cover for ultramarathons abroad, while specialist cover for endurance and challenge-based events has risen by 55%. There is also a noted shift toward more accessible distances, with half marathons and half Ironmans growing faster than their full-distance counterparts. Beyond running, ski racing has also emerged as a growing sector for endurance travel.