For the hardy souls who regularly compete in the Los Cabos Triathlon–140.6 kilometers of rigorous running, biking and swimming–the area’s annual half-marathon is but a mid-season frolic.

$100,000 pesos in prizes are on the line at the 3rd annual Los Cabos Half-Marathon, scheduled to take place Sunday, February 7 in San José del Cabo. Billed as “running in paradise,” the event also aims to promote health and fitness, and Los Cabos as a winter getaway destination.

For the rest of us, it’s a challenging test of stamina and fitness, and one whose rewards go far beyond mere exercise. The 21k course is set for maximum scenery, winding down San José del Cabo’s beautiful Playa Hotelera, through its historic dowtown area, past its freshwater estuary, with a jaunt through the arty, upscale Puerto Los Cabos Marina area thrown in for good measure. Cash prizes also up the ante, and alternate 5k races for kids and adults of varying age groups allow less  runners a chance to enjoy the sights without taxing themselves too heavily.

The 3rd annual Los Cabos Half-Marathon will take place Sunday, February 7, and it addition to redistributing $100,000 pesos in prizes among runners in various categories, it aims to fulfill its larger overall goal of promoting running, health, family, and Los Cabos as a premier winter resort destination. Select local hotels are offering special packages for race weekend, with information about accommodations and amenities  available at travelinparadise@runcabo.com.

Prior to the Sunday race, there will be an all-day (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.) Fitness Expo on Saturday, February 6 in San José del Cabo, featuring conferences on sports and health, the sale of sportswear at discount prices, and information about other local sporting events. The expo is open to the general public; anyone interested in having a booth should contact expo@runcabo.com.

The course for the 3rd annual Los Cabos Half-Marathon is designed for maximum scenery, with frequent “hydration” stations offering water and Gatorade, and select pit stops for bathroom breaks.

The race begins bright and early, 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, with both the start and finish lines at Plaza Mijares in the heart of downtown San José del Cabo. The plaza principal will aslo be the site of the “finish line fiesta,” a post-race celebration for participants. The race course itself is largely flat, although there are two slopes that should challenge even the most experienced of runners. In order to ensure fairness and exact results, the course has been certified by a chartered surveyor from the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), with race support from the Sports Municipal Authority of Los Cabos.

For more information about the event, visit www.loscaboshalfmarathon.com or email info@loscabosmarathon.com. For online registration, go to www.loscaboshalfmarathon.com. Entrance is $65 per person for the 21k, $35 for the 5k. Prospective competitors can also register at the following Cabo Fitness Club locations:

San José del Cabo: Plaza Pescador in front of Hotel Cabo Azul – Tel: (624) 105-2009

Cabo San Lucas: Plaza Transpeninsular Local 19 to 22, Carr. Transpeninsular Km. 4.5 Col. El Tezal, in front of Cotsco – Tel: (624) 105-9471