Rhodes is an island famous for its history, but in late April 2026, it was the centre of the running world. I was there for the TUI Rhodes Marathon, an event that shows why more people are choosing to explore the world through the lens of movement and sport.

This was my second visit to the island, the first being back in 2012, and the growth of this event is incredible. The weather was perfect, with temperatures in the mid 20s. It was warm enough to feel like a holiday but still comfortable enough to get out and move.

The Rise of the Sporting Escape

The idea of a runcation is really taking off. Instead of just sitting by a pool, people want to come home with memories of doing something active. TUI data shows that over 5,000 runners from 65 countries took part this year. Interestingly, a third of them were under 30.

Sebastian Ebel, the CEO of TUI Group, mentioned during the trip that people are looking for more than just a destination now. They want authentic experiences. These marathons are a great example of that. Most people stay for at least five nights, using the race as a reason to explore the rest of the island.

High Fives and Harbour Views

The best thing about the TUI Rhodes Marathon is that there is a distance for everyone. There is the full marathon, a half, and a 10k. I took part in the 5k run, which was a brilliant way to see the area without feeling completely wiped out, as a beginner. There were even 1,000 children taking part in their own junior races to support the TUI Care Foundation.

The atmosphere during the 5k was fantastic. There were musical acts along the route to keep us going, but the best part was the local support. Kids were lining the streets to give us high fives, and that community spirit really carries you along when the morning sun starts to get stronger.

Luxury Without the Labels

*Photo Credits La Marquise Laguna & Gondola Aerial*

I stayed at La Marquise Luxury Resort in Kallithea. It is a massive place, but it does not feel like a typical high rise hotel. I spoke with the General Manager, Michael Karayiannis, to find out more about the thinking behind the design.

"La Marquise was developed with the intention of creating a premium five star resort in Rhodes with a strong sense of space, openness, and comfort," Michael told me. "One of the defining ideas behind the project was to avoid the feeling of a compact vertical hotel structure. For this reason, the resort extends across approximately 120,000 square metres and is developed in 34 separate buildings."

It felt more like a village than a hotel. Michael explained that the owner, Ms Anna Maria DePauw, wanted water and space to be the main focus. It is the perfect place to relax after a race.

No Wristbands Required

The service at La Marquise is very relaxed but professional. One thing I really appreciated was that they do not make you wear those plastic wristbands you see at many resorts, which distinguish who is a full or half board guest.

"Our view is that the overall resort experience should feel respectful and comfortable for everyone," Michael said. "We prefer not to create visible distinctions between guests through wristbands, as we feel this can affect the atmosphere of the resort and make the stay feel less natural for some visitors."

Healing the Land: The TUI Forest

One of the most moving parts of the trip was visiting the area near the Holy Monastery of Panagia Ypseni. The 2023 wildfires were devastating here, destroying the ancient olive groves that the nuns relied on and forcing local wildlife to flee.

I spent time with Evangelos, who is part of the Rhodes Co Lab team with TUI Care. He explained that they are working on transforming Rhodes into a sustainable holiday destination. "When people see our ideas they understand immediately the need for it and are happy that we are here," he said.

The Co Lab moves in two directions: generating fresh concepts and translating existing local pilot projects into reality. Inka Maya, the Programme Manager and Director of the Co Lab from the TUI Group in Hanover, added that the goal is to implement real world projects. "These are projects that work in real life and not only the culture," Inka explained. "But we have to give a good reason why we have to change our behavior in daily life, to give all of these projects a purpose and good will behind."

In partnership with the local NGO Gia Ti Fisi (Common Nature), they have acquired land near Lindos to plant 3,060 trees, including 2,000 olive trees. When I visited, children from local schools and colleagues from local hotels were all working together to plant the new forest. As Evangelos noted, the goal is a complete roadmap into 2030 to transform the tourism travel chain into a sustainable one that can serve as a role model for other destinations.

Expert Insight and Ancient Streets

The trip was also about seeing the island properly. We went up to Monte Smith for a view over the Aegean and then did a walking tour of the Medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our guide, Demitris, was brilliant. He seemed to know everything about the island. He made the history of the Palace of the Grand Masters feel very real, and hearing stories about the Knights of Saint John while seeing the modern marathon crowds nearby was a great contrast.

The Beauty of Lindos

Going back to Lindos was a highlight for me. It was just as beautiful as I remembered from 2012. The white houses and the narrow streets lead right up to the Acropolis, where the views are some of the best on the island.

After the activity of the morning, sitting down for a traditional Greek lunch at Yarenis Restaurant in Apollona was the perfect way to end the day. The local food is incredible, and the quiet countryside is a lovely change of pace from the busy marathon finish line.

Looking to 2027

The TUI Rhodes Marathon is only getting bigger. Marieta Papavasileiou, who co-founded the race, said that working with TUI has really helped put Rhodes on the map as a modern spot for international sports tourism.

If you are thinking about it for next year, the date is already set for 18 April 2027. April is a great time to visit because you get plenty of sun without the intense heat of the summer. As Michael Karayiannis said, the resort and the island are designed to offer all sorts of different holiday experiences, whether you are there for the marathon or just for the luxur.

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