First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay

Ran this year (and last) and already registered for next year!
This race is well organized, and features a competitive and fun field! I love running across the Ringling Bridge to St. Armand’s, and then second half, through the Ringling area neighborhoods, really sets itself up for negative splits, if you’re planning on a fast race.
This year, it was the 10^th anniversary and we received nice finisher jackets as part of our reservation, as well as a really nicely designed (and HUGE) medal!

WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!! I will never go back to Sarasota county for any reason EVER AGAIN!!! Here we are 6 months after the race and I’m still having issues with this terrible place. Apparently I received a red light ticket the day of the race, but never received a ticket in the mail. A red light ticket is a $ 158 fine initially but now after 6 months of not being informed, I finally got a letter from the state threatening to suspend my driver’s license if I did not pay the late fine. I just had to pay $ 297.05 for a red light ticket that I never received. On top of everything else that happened concerning the bates hotel we stay at and the disorganized, overcrowded race, I’m now out almost $ 500 in total for this awful race and visit to this awful town. Definitely tops my list as the most inhospitable town in the US. No wonder they have to use the whole «biggest medal in FL» to bait this race. Do yourself a favor and run the Space Coast Marathon/​half marathon instead, it’s just a nicer experience overall.
I would like to say thank you to the Sarasota Police department, they did apologize for me not receiving the original tickets (I had already paid, so not much they could do for me), but at least they apologized.

So much fun! My second year to run this race and I loved it just as much. It’s a beautiful course and absolutely worth the drive from Clearwater.

A Run With A View… This year’s course promises scenic views, flat terrain, a cool breeze and great time with friends!
Gender-​Specific Shirts and the Largest Finisher Medal in the State!