Sarasota runners flock to half marathons

Two of the most anticipated events for Sarasota runners have officially sold out before race day. As local runners are coming into the homestretch for training for Sunday’s Sarasota Music Marathon and the 10th annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon March 15, both have announced that they are at capacity. Both races are attracting a similar crowd of runners but promise something different.

Runners, leave your headphones at home for the inaugural Sarasota Music Half Marathon. The race of 2,000 runners features 16 bands that will be located throughout the course and will play as a soundtrack for participants. According to lead organizer John Korff, the race is about more than just the runners. He wants spectators to get involved as well.

“We view the spectators as just as important as the runners,” Korff said. “We really want people to have a lot of fun and take ownership and pride in hosting it.

For this route, runners will cross over the John Ringling Causeway, loop around St. Armands Circle back east and continue on Bayfront Drive, then head south on Osprey Avenue. Before finishing, runners will go through Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and finish at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Along the way runners will also be able to make stops at special booths including one featuring Girl Scout cookies and one that will include a beer stop.

For some runners, such as Osprey resident Kerry Cameron, who are participating in both races, the first race is serving as a warm-up for the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon.

“I’ll be focusing more on time after the Music Half Marathon so I can really see where I’m at when I’m not focusing my time,” Cameron said. “Then I will have a really good idea of where I need to be for the First Watch Half Marathon.”

The First Watch Half Marathon course will take 5,000 runners across the John Ringling Causeway before looping at St. Armands Circle and heading back across the bridge, then going north on Tamiami Trail toward the Ringling Museum. Runners will comb through bayfront neighborhoods to reach the finish line at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center.

The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon is the final race in the five-race Florida Storm Series presented by Life Time Athletic Events. Race Director Javier Sanchez attributes the sold-out crowd to runners accepting the challenge of completing three or more of the five events.

“We’ve challenged people to participate in all of them,” Sanchez said. “There’s a lot of heart and soul going into this one, and I’m proud to see it become the second-largest event in the series.”

Road Closures
Drivers will share the road with runners for the Sarasota Music Half Marathon Sunday, starting at 6:30 a.m. The inaugural half marathon will take runners throughout downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Key and through Southside Village.

St. Armands Circle: all lanes closed from 6:30 to 9 a.m., along with the southbound lane of Boulevard of the Presidents from Madison Drive to St. Armands Circle and the northbound lane of Boulevard of the Presidents from Monroe Drive to St. Armands.

South Orange Avenue: closed from Mound Street to McClellan Drive, from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.

South Osprey Avenue: closed from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. from McClellan Drive to Webber Street.

Tamiami Trail: one northbound and one southbound lane open from 10th Street to South Orange Avenue from 6:30 to 11 a.m.