WILLEMSTAD - A team of eighteen runners from Curaçao will proudly represent the island at the New York City Marathon on November 2, marking the first time such a large group from Curaçao has participated together in the world-renowned race.

The team is made up of a diverse group of men and women, ranging in age from 21 to 60, including both experienced athletes and first-time marathoners. They will compete wearing running gear in the colors of the Curaçao flag, symbolizing national pride on the global stage.

Before the race, the runners will take part in the Parade of Nations in Central Park, an event celebrating international participants from around the world.

The group has been training twice a week for several months under the island’s intense heat, preparing for what many describe as a dream come true.

Their participation was made possible through Marathons International, a Dutch organization that offered Curaçaoan runners a complete travel package, including guaranteed race entry. Interest was strong, as securing a spot in the New York Marathon is notoriously difficult — only a small percentage of applicants are selected each year through the official lottery system.

For Team Curaçao, the journey to New York is not only about running 42 kilometers, but also about representing the island’s spirit of perseverance, unity, and ambition on one of the world’s biggest marathon stages.