Additional Information
Welcome!
We invite athletes to join us for our 3rd Annual Florida Beach Halfathon & 5k Race, scheduled for Sunday, March 18, at our nation's favorite beach: Fort De Soto Park, just south of St. Petersburg.
Fort De Soto Park was recently named America’s Top Beach for the second consecutive year by TripAdvisory.
Citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere,” the popular online travel network put the park’s North Beach at the top of its annual best-of list, based on TripAdvisor's Popularity Index.
This marks the third time in four years the pristine Pinellas County beach has received top honors on an annual “best-of” list. In 2005, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach.
HALFATHON ENTRY FEES
$45 online ONLY for the first 50 entrants
$50 postmarked/online until November 6, 2011
$60 postmarked/online until February 5, 2012
$70 postmarked until March 11, 2012
$70 online ONLY until March 14, 2012
$80 on-site registration, March 17 - 18, 2012
5K RACE ENTRY FEES
$25 postmarked/online until February 5, 2012
$30 postmarked/online until March 11, 2012
$30 online ONLY until March 14, 2012
$35 race week, on-site registration, March 17 - 18, 2012
REFUND POLICY
There are no refunds, transfers or credits, unless you register by November 19, 2011, AND notify the race director of your withdrawal at least two weeks prior to the race. There are NO transfers to other athletes. ALL refunds from ALL races will be issued at the same time - after our Florida's Beach Halfathon on or about April 1, 2011.
GENERAL INFO
The halfathon course starts with a loop for the first 5K before an out-and-back 10 mile tour of Ft. De Soto Park. The aforementioned 5K loop comprises the 5K race.
Both courses are located entirely in Ft. De Soto Park and run on paved trails and access roads. These are extremely flat and fast courses with no bridges, overpasses, or discernible inclines. They will be accurately measured and certified by the USATF.
All Halfathon finishers earn unique, running Starfish gold medals. In both the Halfathon and the 5k Race, awards are up for grabs for M/F Open, Masters (40+) and Grand Masters (50+), three deep; age group awards offered three deep in 5 year increments.
7 Aid stations for the halfathon and 1 for the 5K, with enthusiastic volunteers, water and Gatorade, and fresh Florida oranges starting at the midpoint.
Our area's weather in mid-March: average low is 61, average high is 76, perhaps a tad warmer than preferred for running, but we will be starting the race 40 minutes before sunrise. Of course, the mild temperatures will be welcome while relaxing on our nation's #1 Beach after the race
Walkers are welcome to join these races. Course support is based on a 3:30 pace. Due to our staging of this race entirely within a park and primarily on nature trails, we will NOT be offering an early walker's start. All athletes will start at the same time.
USATF SANCTIONED
All our races are sanctioned and insured through USATF for runners, joggers, and walkers ONLY. Strollers, skaters, skateboards and bicycles are NOT allowed on the course during our races.
HEADPHONES AND IPODS
Headphones of any type are now allowed at USATF sanctioned events, but are discouraged due to safety concerns, not only during the actual race, but as importantly, while athletes are training in an uncontrolled environment. Individual races may impose their own regulations, but we don’t, as it would be nearly impossible to enforce.
ATHLETES ENJOY
• Deep discounts on registration fees for early entrants - see below
• A fair refund policy for early entrants – see below
• Accurately measured, USATF certified course
• Extremely safe courses with excellent traffic control, including cones and police
• Accurate mile markers; Computerized timing / scoring
• Seven aid stations stocked with Gatorade, water, oranges and friendly volunteers
• Running Starfish gold medals for all Halfathon finishers
• Awards for the top three in standard age groups
• Overall, Masters (40+), and Grandmasters (50+) plaques for the top three males and females
• A complete web-site for easily accessible information:
- On-line registration
- On-line confirmation frequently updated
• Regular e-mails, providing updated information
• Opportunity to pick up bib numbers on race day
• Colorful t-shirt highlighting the Beach theme
• Finish-line celebration our nation's #1 Beach:
- An assortment of fruits, bagels, and pastries
- Freshly prepared homemade pasta
- Ice-cold Michelob Ultra on tap
- Live entertainment
3RD ANNUAL FLORIDA HALFATHON SERIES
• October 30, 2011 Florida Halloween Halfathon & 5K Race
• December 11, 2011 Florida Holiday Halfathon
• January 22, 2012 Clearwater Halfathon, 5 Miler, and 5K Fitness Walk
• March 18, 2012 Florida Beach Halfathon & 5k Race
In addition to offering finisher awards and event overall awards after each race, we also track each athlete's finishing times and add them together to determine Champions of the Florida Halfathon Series.
Athletes accumulate their total finishing time by completing any three of our four halfathons during each season from Halloween through March. Those athletes who complete all four of our halfathons will have their slowest time dropped automatically.
To recognize our fastest and most consistent halfathon athletes, we offer special overall and age-group rewards based on three halfathons. We also recognize athletes who complete all four of our halfathons with exclusive finisher medals and shirts.
For information, please visit our website at: www.FloridaRoadRaces.com.
Our simple goal is to exceed your expectations.
Run on our roads, relax on our award-winning beaches!
