Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half
2019 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon
Sunday, October 20, 2019 • 6:30 AM
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota, Florida
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota, Florida
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Runners assemble on race morning. The dark felt good at 6:00 am. (Photo credit: this Old Runner)
Weather and Safety Concerns Interrupted the 2019 Half & Relay
On Friday and Saturday before the race, severe weather dumped about 5 inches of rain on the area. Saturday's 5K was rained out. The 5K was moved to Sunday to run along side the 10K, Relay, and Half Marathon.
Then, Saturday night we learned the back half of the Half Marathon & Relay course wasn't going to be safe for runners.
Race management quickly came up with a plan. Half and Relay participants would get a refund. Half runners were invited to run the 10K for free on Sunday. Relay runners could run their 6.2 miles together instead of in two legs.
Then, Saturday night we learned the back half of the Half Marathon & Relay course wasn't going to be safe for runners.
Race management quickly came up with a plan. Half and Relay participants would get a refund. Half runners were invited to run the 10K for free on Sunday. Relay runners could run their 6.2 miles together instead of in two legs.
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"SARASOTA, Fla. (October 19, 2019) -- The decision to cancel the half marathon race distance was made in partnership with and under the guidance of the Sarasota Police Department. As a result of this, Life Time will be providing refunds for all half marathon and relay participants. All half marathon and relay participants are still welcome to run the 10K distance."
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It's hard when races have last-minute challenges. I think First Watch Sarasota handled the situation very well.
Sure, people who wanted or needed to run a half were upset. Yes, there were fewer people at the starting line — but you know what? It worked for me and a couple thousand other runners who came out to run on Sunday morning.
Side note: Since there wasn't a half marathon, there weren't any pacers with signs to help runners seed themselves in the corrals. No big deal since there were fewer runners, but I missed having the cue.
It was a great day to run the Ringling Bridge, then sit by Sarasota Bay while enjoying a delish breakfast and beverages. Kudos to Life Time Events and the First Watch Sarasota crew for putting on a fun event. They were gracious and supportive to everyone who raced on Sunday morning.
I've always been a fan of the First Watch Sarasota Half. I love the location, the challenge of the bridge, the views, and the post race festivities on Sarasota Bay. It's a sentimental favorite because I've run it with my daughter. This year, I celebrated the finish with my #BibRave fam, which was fun.
Sure, people who wanted or needed to run a half were upset. Yes, there were fewer people at the starting line — but you know what? It worked for me and a couple thousand other runners who came out to run on Sunday morning.
Side note: Since there wasn't a half marathon, there weren't any pacers with signs to help runners seed themselves in the corrals. No big deal since there were fewer runners, but I missed having the cue.
It was a great day to run the Ringling Bridge, then sit by Sarasota Bay while enjoying a delish breakfast and beverages. Kudos to Life Time Events and the First Watch Sarasota crew for putting on a fun event. They were gracious and supportive to everyone who raced on Sunday morning.
I've always been a fan of the First Watch Sarasota Half. I love the location, the challenge of the bridge, the views, and the post race festivities on Sarasota Bay. It's a sentimental favorite because I've run it with my daughter. This year, I celebrated the finish with my #BibRave fam, which was fun.
Registration Prices
2019 Fee Schedule for First Watch Sarasota Races.
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The best time to register is early. Prices increase as the race gets closer. If you registered to run a half or relay in 2019, you get a refund. Check out the current registration prices here.
Race options included: 5K, 10K, Half, and Half Relay. This is the only relay I know of where the two runners reunite and finish the race together. |
Packet Pick Up + SWAG
The race expo was at Fit2Run in downtown Sarasota. The whole process took about five minutes. There was a huge shoe sale going on during packet pickup. If you need new shoes, that's the time to grab them for up to half off.
You can find free parking in downtown if you look. Or, you can park farther out and do your shakeout run. Staff at packet pickup was friendly and helpful. Fit2Run stores are a great source for last minute necessities like fuel or socks.
You can find free parking in downtown if you look. Or, you can park farther out and do your shakeout run. Staff at packet pickup was friendly and helpful. Fit2Run stores are a great source for last minute necessities like fuel or socks.
Packet pickup was at Fit2Run in downtown Sarasota on Friday and Saturday. Packet pickup was available on race morning, too. Lots of deals on shoes at Fit2Run. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)
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Racers received a bib; coupon for First Watch Daytime Cafe; Invisalign sponsored sunscreen; First Watch chapstick; Up4 probiotic and coupon; Floyd's of Leadville CBD gels and discount. Runners over 21 got a wristband for entry to the Michelob beer garden. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)
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Race Courses: 5K Moved to Sunday, Half Reduced to a 10K
Saturday's 5K was moved from downtown to Sunday's race location due to weather. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
5K runners received this shirt and finisher medal. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
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The Half and Relay were cancelled and registration fees refunded. Half marathon runners were invited to run the 10K course on Sunday morning for free. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
There was plenty of Gatorade Endurance on course. It was offered at every aid station and the finish line. There were Gatorade Endurance gels around mile 4. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
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Finish Line Food and Festivities
Make no mistake, it was a hot and humid day. The finish line was a welcome site! So were the bottles of ice cold water and Gatorade Endurance thirst quencher. I grabbed one of each and put them in my car for the ride home.
Then, I made my way to the Beer Garden to meet up with the other BibRave Pros. After finding Juan and meeting his family, we found Ashley and Michelle in the food area.
We joined them for a First Watch Daytime Cafe breakfast buffet. There were yogurt parfaits, hot pancakes, bananas, apples, and muffins. Everything looked, smelled, and tasted good! The beer garden offered Michelob beer and hard seltzer.
The finish line party is on the waterfront. It has a beautiful view and balmy breezes. It was nice to sit and visit in such pleasant surroundings. Lots of runners, including us, took pictures with the bay and the bridge in the background.
There was live music and an awards ceremony after the race. BTW, half marathon finishers received the half mara medal. I'm glad 'cause it's a gorgeous, artistic medal. I'd hate for them to go to waste.
Then, I made my way to the Beer Garden to meet up with the other BibRave Pros. After finding Juan and meeting his family, we found Ashley and Michelle in the food area.
We joined them for a First Watch Daytime Cafe breakfast buffet. There were yogurt parfaits, hot pancakes, bananas, apples, and muffins. Everything looked, smelled, and tasted good! The beer garden offered Michelob beer and hard seltzer.
The finish line party is on the waterfront. It has a beautiful view and balmy breezes. It was nice to sit and visit in such pleasant surroundings. Lots of runners, including us, took pictures with the bay and the bridge in the background.
There was live music and an awards ceremony after the race. BTW, half marathon finishers received the half mara medal. I'm glad 'cause it's a gorgeous, artistic medal. I'd hate for them to go to waste.
The Half Marathon Bling! This year's medal is huge, of course. There's a dolphin jumping over the bay. There are 7 silver turtles swimming in the water. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)
There was cold water and Gatorade Endurance at the finish line. Plenty of everything for everyone. (Photo credit: This Old Runner)
Volunteers were cooking up pancakes for the runners. They smelled delicious. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
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A #BibRavePro meetup! It was such fun to meet up with fellow BibRave Pros. We grabbed our chance to pose with our big beautiful bling. That's the Ringling bridge we ran (twice) in the background. (Photo credit: Michelle)
This year's yogurt parfait included chia seeds, fresh fruit, and granola. It tasted perfect after a hot, sweaty race. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
First Watch Daytime Cafe put on a beautiful breakfast. Fresh fruit, power yogurt bowls, muffins, and hot off the griddle pancakes! (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
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Weather Report
This is the first time the First Watch Sarasota Half & Relay was held in October. The past 13 years the race was in mid-March. In March, it's chilly at 6 am; in October it is not. Mentally and physically an October half is a different test.
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The temperature was 80 degrees with 85% humidity at the starting line. It was a sweat fest, but an excellent challenge. I'll run the Ringling anytime I can. I love running over the bridge as the sunrises over Sarasota and the bay.
Heat and humidity in Florida are no joke. I ran a conservative pace and drank plenty of fluids on course. I couldn't reach my PR goal for a half marathon since I didn't run a half. I didn't get a 10K PR either.
The good news is I enjoyed the race. It was an excellent training run that I know will help me reach a PR for my November half marathon. So, I'm still on point for a half PR before my next birthday. (Photos credit: This Old Runner)
Heat and humidity in Florida are no joke. I ran a conservative pace and drank plenty of fluids on course. I couldn't reach my PR goal for a half marathon since I didn't run a half. I didn't get a 10K PR either.
The good news is I enjoyed the race. It was an excellent training run that I know will help me reach a PR for my November half marathon. So, I'm still on point for a half PR before my next birthday. (Photos credit: This Old Runner)
Official Race Photos
The race used Finisher Pix for official photos. The link to race day photos was emailed on Monday.
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#SeenOnARun #SceneOnARun
(Photos credit: This Old Runner)
New Charitable Partnership with Girls on the Run Tampa Bay
Lifetime presented a check to Girls On The Run. (Photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)
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Life Time, which owns the First Watch Sarasota events presented a check for over $3,000 to Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay.
The new partnership and donation will help grow the Girls on the Run after-school fitness and life skills program at Sarasota and Manatee County schools. Over 1,500 girls in grades 3 through 8 from Sarasota to Tampa participate in the Girls on the Run program. The donation came from registrations for the 2019 half, relay, 10K, and 5K races. |