Organizers have set an initial goal of raising $50,000 from the 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, working to build awareness of the program and then doubling this amount to $100K in 2017. A total of 100 spots have been set aside from the sold-out race to allow runners and walkers (with a 4-hour course limit) to still participate and confirm their spot by lending a helping and financial hand to one of the region and country’s most important research medical facilities.
How It Works:
Each participant agrees to raise or donate a minimum of $500 (Bronze Level) or $750 (Silver), which includes the following:
Guaranteed entry into 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
Online Training Resources (available year round)
Post-race VIP hospitality tent
Team racing top and gear
Pre-race Pasta Party Ticket for Saturday night (Silver Level only)
How to register: www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com or via St. Jude
The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon charity partnership capitalizes on the successful relationship that already exists between Life Time℠, producers of the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, and St. Jude via the South Beach Triathlon, where more than $1.5 million has been raised over the past five years. The partners hope to replicate the impact in Sarasota over the next several years.
New Course Route
To better accommodate residents, minimize traffic delays and provide the optimal scenic course route for runners and walkers, organizers have altered the second half of the course to turn at Indian Beach Drive off US41 and do a loop to the Ringling Museum and back along Bay Shore Road.
The course previously went up North Tamiami Trail/US 41 all the way to the Ringling Museum before turning to come back via Bay Shore Road. The first half of the course, starting at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, over the John Ringling Bridge and around St. Armand’s then back to the Relay Exchange at 6.2 miles remains the same.
Click here for the 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon Course Map:
Two-Person Relay Course & Exchange Area
The two-person relay consists of two segments, the first being 6.2 miles from Van Wezel to St. Armand’s and then back to the exchange area outside Van Wezel. The next relay team leg covers 7.6 miles to the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and then back to Van Wezel, where teammates meet each other at the exchange area to head to and cross the finish line together.
Location (start/finish)
6:45 am – first wave race start time*
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
*Falls on daylight savings
Packet Pick Up Locations
Wed., March 9 -- Miami Fit2Run Dadeland Mall, 12 to 6 p.m.
7535 N Kendall Drive, Miami 33156
Fri., March 11 -- University Town Center Fit2Run, 12 to 7 p.m.
140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota 34243
Sat., March 12 -- Downtown Sarasota Fit2 Run, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1400 Main Street, Sarasota 34236
Sun., March 13 – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Race Start/Finish), 5:30 to 6:30 a.m.
Signature finisher's medal, one of the largest in Florida
Gender specific tech t-shirts
Runner tracking via text messaging
Goodie bag
Post Race Party and gourmet breakfast including made to order pancakes and fresh fruit yogurt parfaits and live entertainment, sponsored by First Watch and a beer garden for those 21 years of age and older adults; the event earned Competitor Magazine’s 2012 Award for Best Post-Race Party and Brunch in the Southeast Region
Kids Corner featuring face painting, balloon artists, and interactive games and contests
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