Runners stride to the finish line

By a margin of just nine seconds, Jeremy Battles, 31, of New York City, set a new First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon course record with a time of 1:11:25 at the fifth annual event, held Sunday, March 14. Steven Lawrence, of Charlotte, N.C., had set the previous half marathon record of 1:11:34 in 2007. For the women, Sheri Piers, of Falmouth, placed as the overall women’s winner with a time of 1:17:41.

Runners, who started and finished the race at the John and Mable Ringling Museum, took the scenic route along Bayshore Drive and braved the wind as they ran over the Ringling Bridge and back.

Rich Lomas, 43, of Venice, won the overall local male division, with a time of 1:16:31. He placed fourth among all men.

The oldest runner was Don Krueger, 81, of Sarasota, who finished with a time of 2:42:31.

For a complete list of finishers, awards and race results, visit www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com.

BOX
By The Numbers
1,750 — Number of runners for the half marathon
2,000 — Number of Siesta Key cocktails and muffins donated by First Watch as post-party food
800 — Number of pounds of donated bananas (equivalent to 2,000 bananas)
600 — Number of donated bagels
500 — Number of donated apples and oranges
120 — Number of volunteers
5 — Number of years the half-marathon has taken place