2019 Best Damn Race Safety Harbor Half Marathon

Saturday, February 2, 2019
Safety Harbor Marina Park
​110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor, FL 34695

The BDR finish line before the race. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Your hosts: the Best Damn Crew. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Packet pickup was available on Thursday at Dick's Sporting Goods at Westshore Plaza in Tampa. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

The Best Damn Race celebrated its 7th anniversary in Safety Harbor on February 2, 2019. By all accounts, it was the best one ever. I agree!

Safety Harbor is a charming city on the west side of Tampa Bay. It's one of the few hilly areas nearby. The rolling hills make the races a good challenge for Floridians. 

The race starts on the brick road in front of the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. It ends at the marina. In between you see why people like living in Safety Harbor.

Packet Pickup

There were three options for packet pickup:

Thursday, Jan. 31st (3:00 – 7:00 pm)
Dick’s Sporting Goods 
258 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609

Friday, Feb 1st (12 – 6:00 pm) and
Saturday, Feb. 2nd (5:30 — 8:45 am)
BDR Expo at Safety Harbor Marina Park 
110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor

I picked up on race morning. It was easy and fast. If your shirt didn't fit you could return after 9 am to exchange it for another size.

The Health & Fitness Expo was Friday & Saturday in the park.

SWAG Bag

The Best Damn Race shirt is the perfect blend of polyester, cotton, and rayon. Super soft and very breathable. This year's shirt is dark blue. The color makes the logo pop. Ladies and mens cuts.

I like when races provide bags that can be used to check your gear on race day, but also work for everyday use. This one does the trick. It's not to big, not too small. 

Inside the bag was a sweet pint glass. That was a surprise. If you run the remaining 3 races: Savannah, Orlando, and New Orleans you'll have a complete 2019 set.

The goodie bag contents included a package of Biscoff cookies, a discount for Dick's Sporting Goods, a free Bloomin' Onion coupon for Outback, local race info and a BDR sticker. There was a beach ball, cleaning cloth for glasses, and a koozie.

Runners received a BDR SWAG filled with a custom pint glass, Safety Harbor race sticker, package of Biscoff cookies, and discounts to local races and places. The race shirt is a dark blue heather in poly/cotton/rayon blend. Super soft and breathable. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

There are pint glasses in the goodie bags for these four BDR races. I suggest you run all four races to put together a set. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

The remaining events in the 2019 Best Damn Race Series:
Savannah, GA on February 16, 2019: Half and 5K
Orlando, FL on March 3, 2019: Half, Challenge, 10K, 5K
New Orleans, LA on March 24, 2019: Half and 5K

Race Day Parking

If you get up really early you can score a parking spot at the Safety Harbor Library. Otherwise, there's plenty of street parking. A few designated parking lots are a mile or so from the start. The race runs a free shuttle to a parking lot 2 miles away. All parking is free. Arrive early and be aware of road closings. A couple of main roads close at 6:15 am. I've never had any trouble finding a place to park.

Another option is to stay at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. Then you can walk to the starting line.

Registration Prices

Pricing for the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor increases based on the number of entries. This year everything except the half marathon sold out.

Each year there's a registration blitz to kick off race registration. Last year, the blitz began on  March 7th with these awesome prices: 5K for $15 • 10K for $20 • Half for $40 • 5K/10K Challenge for $60. 

The price goes up based on the number of people registered. Each race is capped, so don't wait too long or you may not get to run. This year everything sold out except the half.

Sign up for the newsletter to get notice when registration begins. You can register online until the day before the races. Late registration on race morning if spots are available.

Free Pro Photos

Two-way traffic as the half marathoners run through Philippe Park. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Post race party pictures. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

The Best Damn Race provides FREE photos. Make sure your bib number is visible so you can find them later.

Photogs are positioned at the start/finish as well as one or two places on course. The half marathon includes a photographer in Philippe Park. The trees in the park are gorgeous and provide picturesque race photos.

It takes a couple of days for volunteers to tag all the pro photos. This year photos were released to runners on Wednesday afternoon. I kinda like waiting a couple of days for pics since it gives everyone a reason to relive race day. 

Pro photographers capture everyone's finish line feeling! Note to self: lift weights so I can have arms like these two. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Half Marathon Course

Course map for the Half Marathon. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Timing 

All bibs have a timing chip. Timing mats for splits every 5K for the half marathon. There's automated runner tracking that sends an email message when you cross the timing mats. Your bib must be uncovered for it to register.  

Pacers

No pacers for the 10K or 5K, which is normal. There were 8 pace groups for the half marathon. The pacers ranged from 1:40 to 2:50 finish times.

All the races begin in front of the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. They finish behind the spa at Marina Park on Tampa Bay. This set up means you get to run down a hill to the finish line. But, you don't have to run up it at the start. I appreciate that.  

I ran the half marathon. The course begins by heading north along the waterfront on Bayshore Boulevard. It runs through beautiful and shady Philippe Park. Next you run south through Safety Harbor. Before mile 6 you can look over and see the finish line, but you have a few more miles to go before crossing it!

The course travels through parts of Clearwater before returning to Safety Harbor along Bayshore Boulevard. There are some hills in the later miles. (These are hills by flat Florida standards.) 

In the neighborhoods it's quiet. There were people on porches here and there. There was a lively Mimosa stop around mile 7, and a Girl Scout cookie station a while later. Spectators and cheer squads were concentrated near the finish. 

There were 8 aid stations on the half marathon course. Three were double-sided so you could hit them twice for a total of 11 fuel opps. SIS and GU gels were available at miles 5 and 8. The first station had water; the rest offered water and Gatorade.

There were two port-a-potties at each aid station. The Best Damn Race Half course is USATF Certified # FL14005EBM.
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The Pinellas County Sheriff and Clearwater Police Department directed traffic and kept everyone safe.

Awards

Top 3 male and female Overall Awards. Top male and female for Masters and Grand Masters. Age Group awards were 3 deep in each of 15 age groups. 

Finisher Medals

Here's my half marathon medal. This is the first time I've received a sand globe medal. The medal colors are vibrant. The sunshine rays are translucent. There's even a place to record your stats on the back.

Half marathon medal from the Best Damn Race Safety Harbor. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

This is the back of the half marathon medal. Get it engraved if you got a PR! (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

These are the 5K, 10K and Challenge Medals. If you choose the Challenge you run the 10K first, then the 5K. You go home with all three medals. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Weather Report

63 degrees at the start. No wind. -> 91% humidity -> Lots of sunshine.

The race began in perfect running temps, but soon it was warm. I took off my long sleeve around mile 3-4. By mile 7, I put it back on to prevent chafing and sunburn. When you weren't in motion, the weather was absolutely perfect!

Waiting for the 7:20 start of the half. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Looking at the bay from Philippe Park. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)

Running through Philippe Park. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Almost half way. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Annnnd done. A good long run. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Post Race Party

One of the nicest things post race was the new pavillion with sun shades in Marina Park. Everyone was loving the shade and seating. That park keeps getting better and better. It's an excellent location for the Best Damn Race.

The BDR motto "For Runners, By Runners" is obvious in the post race party. You can tell runners planned the menu. There was everything from fresh strawberries to donuts to pizza to chocolate candy and salty snacks. And please, have a brownie or gluten-free So Fruity bar with that.

There was a vodka bar, draft beer (Shock Top this time) and hard seltzer. There was coffee and water and electrolytes and soft drinks.  Everything is included in your registration fee. All the good food and drinks are served up in the fresh air and sunshine. In a beautiful park. On the waterfront. With your running buds.

Vendors were at the Expo, and stayed for the post race party. You could find a new race or a new pair of shoes. 

This pavilion with sun shades and tables is new. It provided lots of seating and comfort. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Results are posted right away. There's a PR Bell to ring if you beat your previous record. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race.)

Ready for your next race? Iron Girl Clearwater was ready to help you sign up. There were discounts for some local races in the goodie bags. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

The vodka sponsor was Tito's this year. Runners could order their favorite mixed drink. Don't forget to tip the bartenders. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Outback Steakhouse served up steak, chicken, and Caesar salads. This guy has some extra medals: 3rd place age group and 2nd 2019 BDR in series competed! Plus, his half medal. Congrats! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

This shot includes the awards stage on the right and the So Fruity tent on the left. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

My Race Recap

Last year I ran a lot of shorter distances. This was my first half in almost a year.  I'm focusing on half marathons in 2019. This was my long run for the week. (I love when my long run is a race.) The rolling hills were on point. I have a lot of work to do in the next 12 weeks before the Pittsburgh Half. 

Everything about the Best Damn Race was well run and efficient. Nice course. Great location. Great post race party. LEO and First Responders were on it. If you want to run a Best Damn Race, check out my discounts page for $5 off code. Hurry up though, the codes expire.

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#SeenOnARun #SceneOnARun — The race began with a GORGEOUS sunrise over the bay. It was beautiful! Going through Philippe Park is my favorite part of the half course. The trees are huge. Their branches reach across the road from both sides to form a tunnel. It's a lovely place to run.

Somewhere on course there were very cheerful people offering Mimosas. I'm going to guess it was between mile 7 and 8? A bit later there were a couple of Girl Scouts dressed as cookies offering goodies. 

The biggest thing seen on this run was a marriage proposal! Jeremy, one of the Best Damn Crew, proposed to his girlfriend from the awards stage. She said yes!

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