​What's a Best Damn Race Leftover 5K?

The organizers of the Best Damn Race series thought of a wonderful way to use the medals and shirts they had left over from previous races. 

They created a 5K event where participants choose their race shirt and finishers medal from a selection of 10-20 past races.

The medals were from 5K, 10K and Half Marathons held in Safety Harbor, Orlando, Jacksonville and Cape Coral from 2013-2016. Next year, medals and shirts from the 2017 races will be added to the selection. (I'm looking for a New Orleans shirt next time.)

​The run on the first Saturday in June was several weeks after race season ended — about the time runners are itching for one more event before the real heat of Summer.

The waterfront and downtown streets of Safety Harbor made it a scenic, peaceful race course.

There were two waves of runners. Wave 1 was for people finishing the 5K in under 30 minutes. Wave 2 was for everyone else.

This first wave of runners get ready to run. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

The pre- and post-race festivities took place in Safety Harbor Waterfront Park. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

That's right! There was a water slide at the race. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

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What You Need to Know

Cost: Registration began on March 29 at just $9 for the first 500 runners. 
Blitz Registration: $9-19
Race Week: $25

The Best Damn Race bases pricing on the number of entries, not the date.
​1 – 500 = $9
501 – 1,000 = $13
1,000 – 1,500 = $16
1,500 – 2,000 = $19
2,000+ or Race Week = $25
 
Packet Pickup: Packet pickup was on Friday afternoon from 3-7 pm at Dick's Sporting Goods in Westshore Plaza in Tampa. Pick up was available on race morning at the park.
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SWAG: Choice of quality short sleeve tech shirt from a previous Best Damn Race. The shirts were organized by size in clear bins at pick up. After getting your bib, you could go through the bins and choose your shirt. I picked up early on Friday and easily found the shirt I wanted.

Also available: BDR temporary tattoos, which were fun. I saw a bunch of tattooed runners at the race.
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Race Day Parking: Parking was FREE on the streets of Safety Harbor, at the school and library. BDR provided a map and clear directions on where to find free parking. I parked at the library and probably walked a quarter mile to the starting line.​
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The first wave of runners had to finish in 30 minutes or less. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

​Race Course

The race began and ended next to the Safety Harbor Waterfront Park behind the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa. The race began with an uphill incline, which was fine since that meant we finished by running downhill.

The course was mostly on Bayshore Blvd. We ran north, turned around, came back with a detour through the oak canopy streets of downtown, then ran on a different section of Bayshore Blvd. for another out and back.

The views were wonderful. The race had two waves, so the course wasn't crowded.
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Pacers: No. Good mix of runners and walkers of all ages. There were a lot of kids running this race. I don't usually see many children when running half marathons.

Aid Stations: Yes. Water and Nuun at both stops. I carried my water, so I just glanced at the aid stations. I think the stops were at mile 1.5, and before mile 3. 

Timing Chip: Yes. The chip was on the race bib. There was a digital display at the finish. Results were available immediately via a customized email and link. There was a QR code on the bib, too.

Port-o-lets: Plenty of port-o-lets near the starting line. I counted 19. There was a permanent restroom at the park. I saw at least two port-o-lets at each aid station on the race course.
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Photos

Yes. FREE general, on course, and finish line photos taken by BDR. Photos were available on Sunday. Notification was made by email, and links posted on social media.

There were opportunities for selfies on and off the course. I saw lots of photos taken with the PR Bell.

A winners podium and picture spot with a backdrop were set up at the post race party. ​

​Awards

Awards were given out twice — for winners in the first wave, and winners in the second wave. There were prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in various age groups, plus overall male and female winners.

​Happy Surprise(s)

There she goes up the ladder. This cute little girl wore her bathing suit under her clothes. She was the first one on the water slide. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

​The water slide was an excellent idea. It was a nice option for cooling down after the race. You have to smile when you watch someone slide down it.

​I loved listening to the announcer emphasize to runners in the first wave that they had to finish in 30 minutes or less. We all like to push for a PR, but he warned that the finish line would be closed at 30 minutes so the second wave could start. Watching runners race to finish in time was exciting. 
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Amenities

Plenty of port-o-lets near the start/finish area. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

I love nuun. There were coolers available before and after the race. Nunn was served at the on course aid stations. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

There was a sponsors and vendors marketplace in the park with deals on shoes, sunglasses, BDR gear, and more. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Runners in the second wave walked around the park and vendor marketplace while waiting for their race. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

You can see how spacious the post-race party area is in this photo. The food tent was at the far end of the festivities. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

​Post Race Food

Water was handed out at the finish line. Kudos to the organizers for handing out small water bottles. They were easy to handle, ice cold, and the right amount.

The food tent offered oranges, bananas, chocolate chip muffins, Biscoff cookies, caramel corn and watermelon. There was plenty of water and soda, too.

Mich Ultra Beer, Best Damn Rootbeer, Best Damn Cream Soda and Absolut vodka mixed drinks were available with a wristband.
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Medals

Medals were laid out on long tables before the race so runners could peruse their options. (ThisOldRunner.com)

A variety of choices. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

So many medals. (Photo credit: ThisOldrunner.com)

After crossing the finish line, runners walked to the tables and picked their medal. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

There were 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon medals available for finishers. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

​Weather Report

It was cloudy, with a chance of rain. The first wave started at 7:15; second wave started at 7:57 am. It was a hot, humid, sweaty race for everyone. 
-> Mostly cloudy; no rain
-> 87% humidity
-> Temp was 77 at start

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​Race Rating: A+

My Race Recap

There were plenty of hydration options! I love the fun touches, like the Best Damn Root Beer. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

I chose the neon yellow 2016 Safety Harbor shirt for visibility while running on the road. I love the race bib pattern. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

I chose this 5K medal from Orlando because all the pink flamingos were gone. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

The Best Damn Race was created for runners, by runners, and it shows. They put on a fun, efficient event.
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I decided to try the BDR Leftover 5K now, because I registered for the 5K + 10K Challenge next February. I wanted to see the area and race course. I'm so glad I did. I look forward to returning in February.

The blitz pricing was refreshing, and fun. I signed up for this race for $9. Nine dollars!
The novelty of the random shirts and medals appealed to me, too.

It was fun to look at tables piled with so many colorful medals before the race, and imagine which one I would get.

I enjoyed watching everyone pick their medals. It was interesting that many runners, including me, went for the 5K medals, rather than the giant half marathon ones.

I'm adding the Safety Harbor Waterfront Park to my list of favorite race places. It's a beautiful spot. Everything was easy to find. The layout was good for the vendors, registration, lost & found, beer garden, and food, etc.

There is no denying it was hot and humid, but that's why we run 5ks in June, right? The race course was pretty flat, which is appreciated in this weather.

I felt good throughout the race. I brought my own hydration so I didn't lose time at aid stations. I'm glad I did because I made some progress on my time. I'm still minutes off my fastest 5K, but I'm making my way back.

​See you in February, Best Damn Race. Thanks for a such fun event.

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#SeenOnARun #SceneOnARun — I can't be positive, but I swear there was a 4 or 5 year-old running this race with his dad. I was about to pass them in the home stretch when three siblings jumped in to run to the finish with them. They were five across, so I couldn't pass. That little boy is the opposite of my adult onset running! #BDR5K

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