---
title: "Tips for surviving the Reto Jacó Extremo 9.0"
published: 2016-03-31
updated: 2026-09-05
source: "https://abuenpaso.cr/en/articles/consejos-para-sobrevivir-el-reto-jaco-extremo-90"
---

# Tips for surviving the Reto Jacó Extremo 9.0

**This Saturday at 4:30 in the afternoon will be the ninth edition of Reto Jacó Extremo, this year officially called Claro Reto Jacó Extremo. It is undoubtedly one of the best races of the year and one of the most popular as well, once again bringing together 4000 runners to take over the streets and beach of Jacó.**  


But first things first: the heat. Don't think that by 4:30 in the afternoon the weather will already be cool and a nice breeze will blow across your face when you enter the beach section. No no, this is central Pacific Costa Rica and, no matter that it's 4:30 in the afternoon, the heat, but even more so the humidity, will be inevitable stars of the show. So drink some water and wear light clothing.

Now about the course. The start is one and a half lanes wide right in front of the host hotel, Morgans Cove. Try to arrive early because half an hour before the start, eager runners begin to crowd the starting line. After that there's no trick; the course is completely flat, passing through downtown Jacó in the first kilometers and doing an out-and-back on the entrance boulevard where you can spot runners ahead of you or behind you.

Exactly at kilometer 5.75 you enter the beach and begin 3.2 kilometers on sand. The good news is that the tide is always well planned and the beach is huge, perfect for running. At this point the sun is already setting in the distance and offers a visual spectacle just to motivate you and keep running. This sand section includes two small streams about two or three meters wide that athletes do acrobatics trying to jump over, usually without success. Both are too wide for most people to jump and you'll most likely end up getting your feet wet. Take advantage of the cool water on your feet and console yourself thinking that less than three kilometers remain until the finish.

At kilometer nine you return to asphalt for the last 900 meters to the finish. There will be five hydration stations along the route, at kilometers 2, 4, 5.5, 6.5, and 8, where you can pour plenty of water on yourself (recommended to lower your perception of heat) and of course drink it. Don't forget that the beach section is especially sensitive regarding water pouches, please DO NOT THROW THE POUCH ON THE BEACH. The organizers will place dozens of bins for you to throw the pouch in. They will also collect any trash left over the following three days, but it would be great if nothing was left from the start, and that only depends on us.

One novelty this year will be that your family or friends will be able to follow you live through the Live Tracking system. They should go to the official website, enter your name or your number and they'll be able to see on a map which part of the route you're on**.**Packet pickup will be today Thursday at the Runners store in Pavas, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., as well as Saturday at Jacó Stadium, between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Good luck on Saturday!

A Buen Paso uses [Massivo](https://massivoai.com), the event-registration platform that powers this article.