19th Annual Key West Half Marathon & 5K on January 15th

19th Annual Key West Half Marathon & 5K on January 15th

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The 19th Annual Key West Half Marathon is coming up on Sunday, January 15th, 2017. Interested participants are encouraged to register now to ensure their place – last year’s race was very nearly at capacity.  “The race has grown by many thousands since it began. It draws people from all over, so it’s good to sign up early. We have tech shirts for the first 4,000 participants and we’re quickly reaching that number.” said Barbara Wright, event founder and organizer.

This is truly an international event. Runners from all 50 States are signed up, plus from Seychelles, New Caledonia, Paraguay, Israel, Morocco, Moldova, Macau, Cameroon, Tunisia, Vatican City, UK, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, South Africa, Canada, and India.

The annual race’s growing popularity in part is due to accolades from sports writers and renowned running media. It was named one of the United States’ leading winter half marathons; one of 14 Best Destination Half Marathons (Runner’s World Feb. 2014); Bucket List Best Half Marathons (Runner’s World April, 2015); in December, 2015 Competitor.com ranked it among 13 must-do U.S. half marathons; and most recently, in Steven Kesh’s new book, “Top 50 World’s Best Half Marathons”, the Key West Half Marathon is ranked #7!

Continuing with its well-established reputation for an all-around fun weekend, this year’s events include an expanded two-day Expo. presented by Altra Footwear and Honey Stinger inside the Waterfront Brewery (at the Historic Seaport) on Friday, January 13th from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, January 14th from noon-6 p.m. Also on Saturday, a pre-race pasta special will be offered all day by the Half Shell Raw Bar, starting at 11 a.m. Both days feature great entertainment upstairs at the Brewery during registration.

Saturday’s schedule also features the chance to experience a 9 a.m. training run with past Olympic runner Keith Brantly, acclaimed as one of the most successful long-distance runners in American history.

The sporting challenge will begin at 7 a.m. on a fast 13.1-mile half marathon course amid the island city’s Victorian architecture, historic landmarks and harborfront businesses. A 5K run is scheduled at 7:30 a.m. for those who prefer a shorter course.  As always, live music and great volunteers will be along the course to cheer runners on. Our new sponsor Honey Stinger will have gels available on the course. Located in Steamboat Springs, CO, Honey Stinger makes convenient, nutritious and great tasting honey-based foods including snack and energy bars and gels.

On Sunday’s Race Day, the awards ceremony and  party takes place outside Half Shell Raw Bar with a concert by Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band, and free micro-brewed craft beer from Concrete Beach Brewery. New this year is a VIP beer line for the largest group of participants at the post-race party. In true Key West style, the party will also include food, free raffles, great winners’ prizes (including Caribbean Trips) and more!! And don’t miss Half Shell Raw Bar’s Bloody Mary and Mimosa Specials inside at the bar!

Awards await the first- through third-place male and female finishers in five-year age groups ranging from 9 and under to 75 and over, as well as the top overall competitors and those in the masters. Again each entrant will receive a gender-specific fully sublimated race shirt.

Unique and collectible wine topper medals will go to all Half Marathon finishers and dog tag medals to all 5K finishers (for those who prefer a shorter course). During race week, participating runners can enjoy Paddle Yoga and Paddle Fit trips by Lazy Dog Outfitters on Thursday, Friday and Monday.

For a full schedule and other information, like us on Facebook or visit keywesthalfmarathon.com. To register: Active.com or keywesthalfmarathon.com.  ###

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