2018 First Watch Sarasota Half

2018 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

Sunday, March 18, 2018
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

Disclaimer: I received a First Watch Sarasota Half entry as part of being a BibRave Pro.
Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

A Cool Early Start

Thanks to Daylight Savings Time, the race began in the cool darkness before dawn.

This was year 18 for the First Watch Sarasota Half and Relay. Race organizers added a 10K to the event this year.

It seems like more and more 10K races are popping up around here. I'm glad. If you aren't ready to run a half, the 10K (6.2 miles) is a good challenge.

If you always wanted to run the Ringling Causeway Bridge, give the #RunSarasota 10K a try. You get all the perks at half the distance.

I ran the half marathon. It was my third
First Watch Sarasota Half. I was very happy to run this year because I DNS last year due to a sinus infection.

The race course and amenities were as good as I remembered.

Starting line at the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon.

The starting line! (Photo credit: Athlinks)

Runners on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge during a half marathon.

The race heads up and over the John Ringling Causeway Bridge at mile 2. After running around St. Armand's Circle runners cross the bridge a second time. (Photo credit: @RunSarasota)

What You Need to Know

Cost: The best time to register is during the price blitz right after the race.

During Blitz Pricing the prices are based on number of entrants. The first runners to sign up for each distance get the best deal. See the schedule below, and on the race website.

Blitz Prices are based on the number of registrants.

Packet Pickup: There were lots of options for packet pickup at Fit2Run stores.

Miami on Wednesday. Sarasota on Friday at University Town Center, and then Downtown Sarasota on Saturday. Packet pickup was available on race morning, too. I picked up on Friday. It took under 5 minutes to get everything.

SWAG: The shirt is bright neon green. I like the ladies cut. I'll definitely wear it. The goodie bag had a First Watch Cafe discount coupon, protein bars, and a one pot sized bag of First Watch coffee in it.

Race Day Parking: Easy if you arrive early. Traffic backs up at race time. Construction on Tamiami Trail and 10th Street slowed the traffic flow this year.

The race begins and ends at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. There's plenty of on site parking. Be aware that if you park in the lot you can't exit until 10 am. On street and additional parking lots are nearby.

Aerial view of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and parking lot.

Aerial view of Van Wezel shows the large parking area. (Photo credit: Google Maps)

Race Course

The race begins and ends at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. You run a mile, then go up and down the John Ringling Causeway bridge. After a loop around St. Armand's it's up and over the bridge again. After that it's pretty flat

The course follows Tamiami Trail for a bit, then turns into a beautiful older neighborhood on Sarasota Bay. You'll enjoy mature shade trees, bay views, and grand homes. Residents were outside cheering the runners. There are a couple of nice selfie picture spots in there.

After the neighborhood runners were back on Tamiami Trail. Because of the construction on 10th Street, the course start and finish were different this year. The finish didn't include racing downhill before turning into the finish line, but it worked fine.

Pacers: Yes. The pacers had mobile speakers so they could play motivational music for their groups.

Aid Stations: There were plenty of aid stations on the course. Water and Gatorade Endurance were available. Volunteers were friendly and cheered the runners. I grabbed Gatorade Endurance gel that was available at mile 9. I had vanilla, and it was just what I needed.

Timing Chip: Yes. The chip was on the race bib. There were digital displays at certain mile markers. I remember 10 miles specifically. There were timing mats at 5K, 10K, 15K. Results were available immediately. Photos were online at Athlinks by late afternoon of race day.

Port-o-lets: Yes, plenty available in two large groupings as you entered the event area. There were port-o-lets on course.

Medals

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon is known for it's huge dolphin medals. They never disappoint. They are big!

This year's sparkling teal blue medal was inspired by the waters of Sarasota Bay.

The bling. (Photo credit: Athlinks)

Storm Series Medals

Extra bling for Storm Series runners. (Photo credit: Athlinks)

The Florida Storm Series is a group of five races in Florida that take place from November to March.

If you complete 3, 4 or 5 of the races, you earn extra bling. Runners at First Watch Sarasota collected their Storm Series medals at a special tent near the entertainment stage.

Packet pickup at Fit 2 Run store in University Town Center, Sarasota.

Packet pickup was available at Fit2Run in the University Town Centre on Friday. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

Goodie bag for the First Watch Sarasota Half.

The goodie bag included a shirt, coffee, protein bars, First Watch discount coupon, and beer bracelet. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

On Saturday, packet pickup at the downtown Fit2Run store included a big sale. (Photo credit: @RunSarasota)

Post Race Food

This race is known for its delicious post race parfaits. Yogurt, strawberries, grapes, granola. Yum. (Photo credit: Athlinks)

The Beer Garden had Michelob Ultra, Spiked Seltzer and Truly Sparkling alcoholic beverages for runners of drinking age.

The food buffet included bananas, cut oranges, mini muffins, yogurt parfaits, and pancakes hot off the grill, courtesy of First Watch Daytime Cafe.

I had the yogurt parfait — it was the perfect mix of granola, yogurt, strawberries and grapes. The Finish Line Festival is on the grassy lawn next to the water.

Food buffet at the First Watch Sarasota Half.

Pancakes hot off the grill! Also plenty of choices for fruit and breads. (Photo credit: Athlinks)

Beer Garden at the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon.

Beer Garden choices included Michelob Ultra, Spiked Seltzer, Truly Sparkling alcoholic beverages. (Photo credit: Athlinks)

Awards

Instead of 1 -2- 3 on the winner podium, the places were listed as Fast, Faster and Fastest! I love that.

There were awards for top male / female finishers as well as age group awards. The first male and female received free meals at First Watch Daytime Cafe for a year!

Weather Report

There was a light breeze off the water while on the bridge. At one point going through the older neighborhood it felt like a sauna, then a few minutes later there was a cool bay breeze tunnel. After the race I learned it was 100% humidity!
-> Blue cloudless skies
-> 100% humidity
-> Temp was 57 degrees at start; 74 at finish

Happy Surprise

Selfie fans had lots of opportunities to capture the perfect race photo. Along the course there were Selfie Zones. The picture spots gave runners an easy way to capture a photo with a pretty background.

Photos

Runners pose with medals in front of Sarasota Bay, FL.

Roving pro photographers took nice candids before, during and after the race. (Photo credit: Athlinks)

The official photogs took pictures at this picture spot just past the finish line. (Photo credit: ThisOldRunner.com)

There were plenty of photographers before and after the race. They moved about in the corrals and finish line area offering to take candids. I saw 4 photographers on the course.

Athlinks provides free race photos for all participants. It's cool how you can look up your results and photos all in one place. You can download your photos and a finisher certificate for free. (Make an Athlinks profile to keep ALL your race results and photos together.)

Race Rating: A

My Race Recap

I didn't have my best race, but I enjoyed this half! I love the views from every angle on the bridge. Coming back to town from St. Armand's is stunning as the sun rises behind the city.

There was video and still photography of runners crossing the finish line. (Photo credit: Athlinks.)

While runners spend a lot of time on Tamiami Trail, there are hidden treasures in the older neighborhoods along the bay. I adore the gigantic shade trees and water views. There are beautiful homes. Many friendly residents stood outside and cheered on the runners.

The picture spots were nice diversions on the course. They included music and funny characters in some places.

There were cheering spectators and kind volunteers all along the race route. At the finish line someone puts the medal over your head. That's always nice.

After you finish a volunteer hands you ice cold water and Gatorade. A few steps later a photographer takes your photo. The Finish Line festival is a couple of yards away.

(Photo credit: Athlinks)

The 100% humidity made this half a sweat-fest. How many beverages does one hot, sweaty runner need? At least three.

It's a fun, safe, and well-organized event. I'll be baaaaaccckk!

#SeenOnARun #SceneOnARun — My sunglasses were foggy from the humidity. As I ran closer to the selfie spot at mile 11-12, I realized I was looking at a leprechaun with a smiley face emoji on his shoulders. It was someone in a leprechaun beer buddy costume. Yep, it's a thing. It was a silly distraction, so thanks for that! #RunSarasota