This Old Runner Writes About Running

Check Out the New Race Course Maps for Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor

1/8/2020

SAVE 10% with Code: THISOLDRUNNER When You Register for ANY Safety Harbor Race Before Midnight January 17, 2020

Want to see the new 2020 race courses for the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor on February 1-2? All three distances have new routes this year.

Saturday's 10K and 5K races begin on the brick in front of the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa under the old oak trees. Sunday's Half marathon starts and finishes at the Safety Harbor Marina. Take a look below at the new courses.

BDR Safety Harbor 5K
Saturday, February 1 at 9 am

Racers start in front of the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa and move north on Bayshore Boulevard. Be sure to enjoy the water views! Runners turn west onto Philippe Parkway, then head south onto Bayshore Boulevard to run along the water again. The second half of the race is an out and back along Bayshore. The finish line is at the marina, just steps away from the post race celebration in the park. Certification number coming soon.

Race course map for the 5K at the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, Florida.

BDR Safety Harbor 10K
Saturday, February 1 at 7 am

Racers start in front of the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa and move north on Bayshore Boulevard. Lots of water views on this course. Runners turn west onto Philippe Parkway, then head south onto Bayshore Boulevard before turning west for a mile on Harbor Hill Parkway.

Runners return to beautiful Bayshore Boulevard for three more miles before finishing at the marina. After crossing the finish line, take a few steps and you're in the middle of the post race celebration in the park. Certification number coming soon.

Course map for the Best Damn Race Safety Harbor 10K.

BDR Safety Harbor Half
Sunday, February 2 at 7 am

NOTE: The Half Marathon is on Sunday. The 10K and 5K races are on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The Half Marathon starts and finishes at the Safety Harbor Marina. (The other races start in front of the Safety Harbor Spa.)

This year runners head north Philippe Parkway until they reach Philippe Park. In the park there are big, beautiful shade trees and views of Old Tampa Bay. There are gently rolling hills inside the park, too.

Next, half marathoners hit the Ream Wilson Trail for some inclines and declines on paved trails. (Love this trail!) At mile 10, runners turn around in Alligator Kapok Park to return to the finish. The last couple of miles are on Bayshore Blvd. The finish line is at the marina.

The half marathon has 10 aid stations; each station has 2 port-a-potties. Gatorade, GU energy gels, Cliff shots and water are available at aid stations. Certification number coming soon.

2020 half marathon map for the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, Florida.

SAVE 10% on ANY Race Distance

Use THISOLDRUNNER when you register to SAVE 10% off the current price on any race distance! Hurry up, discount codes expire at midnight, January 17, 2020.

10% Discount Deadlines for Safety Harbor, Savannah, Orlando, and NOLA

Here's the really good news about my discount code: it's good for any distance, in any city. Use it to run a race in all four destinations, or share it with friends near and far. You'll SAVE 10% with code THISOLDRUNNER no matter where and when you run a 2020 BDR!

Here are the deadlines to use BDR Discount Codes:

Safety Harbor - Code expires at midnight, January 17
Savannah - Code expires at midnight, January 31
Orlando - Code expires at midnight, February 14
New Orleans - Code expires at midnight, March 13

Best Damn Race Savannah
Saturday, February 15, 2020

Starting line for Best Damn Race in Savannah, Georgia.

Run a 5K or Half in beautiful Savannah, Georgia on February 15, 2020. (Photo: BDR)

Best Damn Race Orlando
Saturday, February 29, 2020

Finish line for the Best Damn Race in Orlando, Florida

The Best Damn Race in Orlando offers a 5K, 10K, Challenge, and Half Marathon on Feb. 29, 2020. (Photo: BDR)

Best Damn Race New Orleans
Sunday, March 22, 2020

Runners at the starting line for the Best Damn Race in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Best Damn Race series finale takes place in New Orleans on March 22, 2020! Run a 5K or Half Marathon to earn a sugar skull medal! (Photo: BDR)

SAVE 10% with Code: THISOLDRUNNER When You Register for ANY Safety Harbor Race Before Midnight January 17, 2020

2020 Key West Half Marathon Shirts and Medals Revealed

11/24/2019

Make plans now to spend a warm Winter racecation weekend in Key West. The average Key West temperature in January is high of 74 degrees and a low of 64 degrees. That's perfect racing weather.

The Key West Half and 5K are one-of-a-kind races in a one-of-a-kind place.

Run next to the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise, then race around the island to enjoy the Southernmost Point, Hemingway House and Museum, Mallory Square, and Duval Street. Welcome to the Conch Republic!

Check Out the Race Shirts and Half Medal

Disclaimer: I'm promoting Key West Half and 5K as a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews

SAVE 20% on the Key West Half Marathon

Register for the Key West Half and 5K before midnight on November 30 to avoid the next price increase. Use my code: BIBRAVE20 to get 20% OFF the half marathon.

Feel free to share with your running buddies! If you want to run, but can't make it to Key West in person, consider the virtual races.

Best Damn Race Participant Perks for the 2020 Safety Harbor Race Weekend

9/6/2019

Participant Perks are better than ever this season! Get the details below on the Safety Harbor Best Damn Races on February 1-2, 2020.

Register for one of the BDR Challenges in Safety Harbor, and all you'll need is shoes and shorts! That's because you can score BDR socks, shirts, and a hat/visor when you sign up to run the Double or Triple Challenge.

Run a 5K, 10K or the Half and you get a beautiful race, shirt, finisher medal, and a fantastic post-race party on the waterfront.

Don't forget to use my discount code ("ThisOldRunner") for 10% OFF Any Best Damn Race, in Any City.

Picture of racers in the Best Damn Race Half Marathon in Safety Harbor, Florida.

Half marathoners race through Phillippe Park. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Disclaimer: I’m an ambassador for the Best Damn Race. I'm promoting the races because they're awesome.

10K Race: Saturday, February 1st at 7 am

Picture of the 10K medal for the Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL on February 1, 2020.

The 10K medal features a manatee on a turquoise stained glass background. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

USATF Certified Course
Best Damn T-Shirt
(Mens or Ladies Cut)
Best Damn Finisher Medal (5K)
Best Damn Goodie Bag
Free Food & Drinks at Post Race Party
Health and Fitness Expo
Free Race Photos

5K Race: Saturday, February 1st at 9 am

Picture of the 5K medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL

The 5K medal for Best Damn Race Safety Harbor features a seagull on dark blue stained glass. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

USATF Certified Course
Best Damn T-Shirt
(Mens or Ladies Cut)
Best Damn Finisher Medal (5K)
Best Damn Goodie Bag
Free Food & Drinks at Post Race Party
Health and Fitness Expo
Free Race Photos

Double Challenge 5K + 10K: Saturday, Feb. 1st

Picture of the Double Challenge medal for the 2020 Best Damn Race in Safety Harbor, FL.

Run BOTH the 5K and 10K races and you'll earn extra bling! The Double Challenge medal has a boat sailing near Safety Harbor! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

Run the 5K and 10K as a Double Challenge and you'll earn an extra medal.

Best Damn T-Shirt
(Mens or Ladies Cut)
5K, 10K, and Challenge Medals
Best Damn Goodie Bag
Free Food & Drinks at Post Race Party
Health and Fitness Expo
Free Race Photos

Half Marathon: Sunday, February 2nd at 7 am

The half marathon medal features the iconic downtown clock. And yes, it's on a stained-glass background! (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

USATF Certified Course
Best Damn T-Shirt
(Mens or Ladies Cut)
Best Damn Finisher Medal (5K)
Best Damn Goodie Bag
Free Food & Drinks at Post Race Party
Health and Fitness Expo
Free Race Photos

Triple Challenge 5K, 10K + Half: February 1 & 2

Run the 5K, 10K on Saturday, then return for the Half Marathon on Sunday! You'll earn all the goodies:

Best Damn T-Shirt (Mens or Ladies Cut)
4 Best Damn Finisher Medals: 5K, 10K, Half, and Challenge
Best Damn Goodie Bag
Triple Challenge Hat or Visor
Free Food & Drinks at Post Race Party
Health and Fitness Expo
Free Race Photos

Picture of the Triple Challenge Medal for the Best Damn Race.

This gorgeous glass bottom boat medal goes to the Triple Challenge Runners! (Photo Credit: Best Damn Race)

Run all the races on Saturday and Sunday and you'll score the BDR Triple Challenge hat or visor. (Photo credit: Best Damn Race)

SAVE 10% Off Any Best Damn Race in Any City with Code: "ThisOldRunner"

Register early and use my discount code for the best deal. Plus, you'll add a pair of BDR Safety Harbor socks to your wardrobe.

The first 4,000 racers in Safety Harbor get city-specific socks in their goodie bag!

Picture of city-specific socks for Safety Harbor, Orlando, Savannah and New Orleans Best Damn Race events.

The BDR 2020 Season Includes Savannah, Orlando, and New Orleans Races

You can learn more about the other races in the BDR series here and in future blog posts.

#BestDamnRace #BDR #SafetyHarbor #RunBDR #BDRSafetyHarbor #RunTampa #RunStPete #RunSarasota #RunBradenton #FloridaRunner #BDRSavannah #BDROrlando #BDRNOLA #LetsGeaux

First Watch Sarasota Half Medal Revealed!

7/11/2019

Preview the 2019 Sarasota Half & Relay Medal!

The First Watch Sarasota Half is known for gigantic dolphin medals. 🐬 The 2019 edition is another beauty! Look below for the latest #RunSarasota medal!

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

The medal features a 3-dimensional dolphin leaping over water filled with sea turtles. (Rendering/photo credit: First Watch Sarasota Half)

Save $10 with My Discount Code for the First Watch Sarasota Half & Relay; $5 on the 10K

Don't wait too long to register for the First Watch Half, Relay or 10K. This event sells out — and it's the only way to earn this awesome medal!

The Sarasota Half & Relay and 10K are on October 20, 2019. Save with my code! Use "BRSARASOTA19" to get $10 OFF the Half or Relay; $5 OFF the 10K.

Register at SarasotaHalfMarathon.com 🐬

Sarasota Side Trip

You can see plenty of real dolphins in Sarasota Bay. Visit Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium to learn more about turtle nesting season. Mote Marine Lab is a great side trip anytime you're in Sarasota.

#SarasotaBR #BibChat #BibRavePro #RunSarasota #RunTheRingling #optoutside #MRTT #StArmandsCircle #VanWezel #SarasotaBay #WeRunSocial #HalfMarathon #RaceDiscount#DiscountCode #CouponCode #thebaysarasota @bibrave @first.watch @cityofsarasota #FloridaRunner #Half #FLRunner #ThisOldRunner @thebaysarasota

Racing on the Tamiami Trail at the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

7/8/2019

When you run a half marathon you see views you would miss in a car. That's definitely true on the Tamiami Trail🐬 in Sarasota. BTW, Tamiami stands for Tampa to Miami.

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon runners spend the most time on the Tamiami Trail after re-crossing the Ringling Bridge. The trail is one of the main roads in Sarasota, so it’s fun to race it on foot. You’ll see a lot of businesses and condos on the Trail. The relay exchange area is at Mile 6.

The Trail is easy in the early morning darkness, but it heats up as the sun rises. Expect to be in the sun from Mile 5 to 7, and again from Mile 11 to the finish. There’s shade in the older Bayshore Neighborhoods, but more about that part of the course next time.

Keep reading for more info and a discount code for the Sarasota Half and Relay!

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

Music: https://www.BenSound.com

There's More to See on Tamiami Trail in SRQ

Take a leisurely stroll through the Sarasota Garden Club after the race and after party. The garden is a hidden gem between Tamiami Trail and Sarasota Bay. It's open during daylight hours 7 days a week.

(Photo Credit: Sarasota Garden Club)

Lawn Bowling fan? Check out Sarasota's Lawn Bowling Club. You can't miss it on Tamiami Trail near the entrance to Van Wezel Performing Arts Center and the race start and finish. Visit their website for details on open bowling times.

(Photo Credit: Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club)

Exciting Changes Coming to Sarasota Bayfront

Check out what's happening on Sarasota's waterfront development known as The Bay Sarasota. You can watch a video about Phase One here. There's a rendering below, too. The Tamiami Trail is to the right of the rendering.

Rendering of The Bay Sarasota development of the waterfront. (Credit: The Bay Sarasota)

$10 Discount Code for Sarasota Half Marathon

The Sarasota Half, 10K and Relay are October 20, 2019. Save cash when you register with code "BRSARASOTA19" for $10 OFF the Half or Relay; $5 OFF the 10K.

Register before the next price increase! SarasotaHalfMarathon.com 🐬

First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon and Relay Map. (Credit: First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon)

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