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Ryan Jordan, one of the owners of the new #StPeteRunFest event spoke to One Million Cups #1MCSTP last week, and everything he had to say about the inaugural St. Pete Run Fest made me happy.
Year-Round Community Engagement
Jordan told the audience that his company (EndorFun Sports) wants this event to be engaged in the community 365 days a year.
The two-day festival will partner with the city, 3 Daughters Brewing, Saturday Morning Market, BigSea Design, St Pete Threads, local charities, schools and businesses to engage as much of the community as possible. Visit StPeteRunFest.org to see how you can participate as an individual runner, team member, or volunteer. The event is November 18-19, 2017 in St. Petersburg, FL. A Two-Day Run Festival with Something for Everyone
Run or Walk to Support Local Charities
Money raised by the race will stay in the community. 5K runners will support the Miles for Meals Program — a dollar for each mile run/walked (up to $3) will be donated to the St Petersburg Free Clinic Food Bank. Additional donations can be made online when registering for races.
Jordan said the Half Marathon will give local charities the opportunity to be involved in the race and receive a donation with a "13 miles, 13 charities" plan. 
Photo credit: StPeteRunFest.org
Healthy Kids Challenge
I love the idea of the PeliKids Marathon Challenge. It's a one mile race for school age kids (K-8). The young runners log 25.2 miles at home or at school before the race, then complete their marathon on Saturday of race weekend by running the PeliKids One Miler for a total of 26.2 miles.
Running Tour of Downtown St. Petersburg
The half marathon is a great way to see everything new and exciting that is happening in downtown.
The race course embraces the waterfront, downtown, the arts districts, Tropicana Field and the Pinellas Trail. If you haven't been to St. Pete lately, you haven't been to St. Pete. 
Photo credit: StPeteRunFest.org
Creating an Ocean Friendly Event
Okay, I think this may be my favorite part. Jordan told the audience the race organizers were inspired by how the National Parks Race Series uses a cup free system. HydraPour uses a reusable water pouch and speedy filling stations to distribute water to runners — eliminating all the trash and tripping hazards of disposable cups. Bonus: you can sip your water as needed, rather than gulping it in time to toss your cup into the trash can.
Jordan said the inaugural year will be a combo of HydraPour and recyclable cups. He said he is working with the Suncoast Chapter Surf Rider Foundation to make this an Ocean Friendly event. Additionally, half marathon runners will receive a reusable water bottle at the finish line. Love it! Did You Want Some Bling with That Race?
Will St. Pete Get its Own Version of a Gasparilla Classic?
Jordan said the vision is to create St. Pete's version of the Gasparilla Classic — a world class event that brings people from around the country to run, stay and play in our city. For reference: the Gasparilla Distance Classic attracts 40,000 runners.
It may take a few years, but the energy and vision of the #StPeteRunFest owners, partners and the city of St. Petersburg make me believe it will happen. I'll be running, and rooting for everyone's success.
#dtsp #runstpete #runtampa #runsarasota #runbradenton #sunshineshere #runchat #raceraves #bibrave #tampabay #hc15Ktampa #HotChocolate15K #florida #LoveFL #igerstpete #instarunners #runnersofinsta #1mcstp #stpeterunfest #BigSeaDesign #StPeteThreads #HydraPour #GasparillaDistanceClassic #pgdc #medalmonday #runtampabay #half #15K #10K #5K #KidsDash #thisoldrunner
Have you heard about Cupid's Undie Run? St. Pete had one on Valentine's Day. I love everything about the race: great cause (Children's Tumor Fund), clever slogan (#ImWithCupid), and a street party atmosphere. I'm shy and older, so running in my undies in public is out for me. But, the idea of a unique race is appealing. It's fun to try new locations and events.
This March is the perfect month to cash in on your training to earn something extra when you race. I created a list of local races with unique themes and locations. Find a new race on the list below, and use it to stay motivated. Distances range from Fun Runs to Half Marathons. Would You Run for a Cupcake?
That sounds like a Dr. Seuss title, doesn't it? But why not race for a cupcake? You'll earn it after running a sandy 5K on the beach at Pass-a-Grille.
Fore! Four! Golf and Running Mix at Valspar
Sunday, March 6, 2017. 4:00 pm
Par4Miler at Innisbrook Resort, $25-30 Option to purchase discounted golf tournament tickets. Palm Harbor, FL How often do you get to run where the pros play golf? This race course is on the cart paths at the beautiful Copperhead Course. The race kicks off the 2017 Valspar Championship Golf Tournament. Finishers receive a voucher for Valspar paint, a medal, shirt and post-race party by the 18th green. Bonus: Runners can purchase discounted tickets for the Valspar Championship. The race benefits Moffitt Cancer Center. Read my 2/15/17 blog post for more details.
#par4miler #thisoldrunner #Valspar #Moffitt #HSNcares #Innisbrook #ValsparChampionship
VROOM! VROOM! Run the Grand Prix Track
#GrandPrixStPete5K #RunStPete #5K #ThisOldRunner #FirestoneGrandPrix #PALStPete #MBA
Be the Thunder! Run with the Lightning Bug
Saturday, March 11, 2017. 7:00 am
Bolt Run 1 mile, 5K and 5 Miler. $30-$65 Team entries available. Tampa, FL The Lightning Foundation sponsors this race that starts and finishes where the Tampa Bay Bolts play hockey— Amalie Arena.
Each registered participant receives: One ticket to the March 11th game vs Florida, or March 21st vs Arizona, or two tickets to a Tampa Bay Storm game; race t-shirt; pre/post-race activities with food & drinks; race goodie bag. 5k and 5 Miler finishers receive a medal. Proceeds benefit local charities. Lightning Bug, the hockey team mascot, runs with the kids.
#BoltRun #AmalieArena #5K #5Miler #BeTheThunder #ThisOldRunner #LightningFoundation
King of the Beach! Florida Beach Halfathon & 5K at Fort DeSoto Park
#FloridaHalf #Beachathon #FortDeSotoHalf #ThisOldRunner #StarfishMedal #FloridaRoadRaces
Spring Break in Sarasota! First Watch is the Last Half in the Florida Storm Series
#FloridaHalf #2PersonRelay #SarasotaHalf #ThisOldRunner #DolphinMedal #Florida #FirstWatch
5K & 10K Memorial Runs to Honor Fallen Heroes of St. Pete Police
Twilight Celebration 5K & 10K Races at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton
Friday, March 31, 2017. 6:30 pm
Fit2Run Twilight 5K and 10K Run, $35-$40 Kids' Races for ages 3 to 12 years start at 5:30 pm Robinson Preserve, Bradenton, FL Challenging course on trails and boardwalks surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife. 5 corrals based on finish time. Walkers, strollers, and runners with dogs are welcome in last corral. Fit2Run after party features catered food, refreshments, live music and adult beverages (with proper ID). Awards include prize money distributed to top three M/F finishers in each race. Age group awards. Medals to kids. 5K is chip timed. Family friendly event. Proceeds benefit Feeding Empty Little Tummies, a backpack program to feed homeless Manatee County children on weekends, and the Preserve.
#RobinsonPreserve #TwilightRun #5K #10K #Bradenton #RunStPete #ThisOldRunner #Fit2Run
Feeling Groovy? Try This Fun Race in 2017
Will the Third Time be the Charm for this Race?
The 3rd Annual Honeymoon Island Half marathon is November 5, 2016. There will be 3 races: half marathon, 10k and 5k.
The 2016 race course will be in downtown Dunedin instead of on the island. I don't know if there will be cold water, or shade, or better organization — but at least runners will be near downtown businesses and have options for post race recovery.
I hope to hear the 3rd year is the charm for the Honeymoon Island Half. Learn more about the 2016 Honeymoon Half 10k and 5k.
The Conquistadors are Coming!
Photo from BradentonHalfMarathon.com
Now this is one cool medal! The First Annual Bradenton Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2016 in downtown Bradenton, Florida.
If the medal doesn't entice you to run, then the race course will. The race starts in downtown Bradenton by taking runners out and back over The Green Bridge. Runners then move along the Manatee River, loop into town, and finish back at the waterfront. 
The Hernando De Soto Historical Society sponsors the race which will include music, cheerleaders, and conquistadors along the race course. Proceeds go to student scholarships.
Did you notice that the medal has two holes in it? That's so you can mount your medal to a plaque. There will be plaques available for purchase after the race.
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