TRICKS: Costumes Encouraged
Create unique costumes in the spirit of this festive holiday, but ones that will not adversely affect your performance. Or simply wear mismatched uniforms. Or orange and black.TREATS: Best Costume Awards
Best Athlete - Amateur and Pro
Best Beauty - French Maids, Hooter Girls, Princesses, etc.
Best Celebrity - Actors, Elvis, Singers, Politicians, etc.
Best Hero - Explorers, Firefighters, Military, Police, Superheroes, etc.
Best Villain - Thieves, Robbers, Pirates, etc.
Best Couple - Cowboy & Indian, Cop & Robber, Batman
& Robin, etc.
Best Group - 3 or more similiarly costumed
BEST OF RACE
They are extremely flat courses, with no bridges, overpasses, or discernible inclines. They will be accurately measured and certified by the USATF.
Both races start the same, with a 5K loop that returns athletes to the start/finish area. Post-race party begins as the 5K athletes arrive, while the Halfathoners will continue on the 10-mile out-and-back tour of Ft. De Soto Park.
Finish line treats will include fresh fruit, hot pasta, cold Michelob Ultra, and live entertainment.
Citing a "spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm clear water, and a laid-back atmosphere," TripAdvisory named Ft. De Soto Park America's Top Beach, based on their Popularity Index.
This marks the third time in four years the pristine beach has received top honors on an annual "best-of" list. In 2005, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach," named Ft. De Soto the nation's #1 Beach.
THE perfect place to race, party, and relax.
Come! Join us for tricks, treats and the beach!
"This was one of the most organized races I have ever participated in. From all of the pre-race updates, to the race, to the post race activities, everything was top notch. Thank you for a great experience."
- Ringo Breton, Lakeland
"Thank you for putting on such a great event. I am on vacation from the UK and have run many races there - this one was up with the best I have done. many thanks."
- Tony Chapman, Brackley, Great Britain
"Ft. De Soto Park was a stunning venue for the race. I liked the fact that costumes were encouraged – I think sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. I look forward to the January half-marathon as well as to participating in future Halloween Half-marathons."
- Bob "Santa Claus" Petersen, Columbia, SC
More Reviews
- Ringo Breton, Lakeland
"Thank you for putting on such a great event. I am on vacation from the UK and have run many races there - this one was up with the best I have done. many thanks."
- Tony Chapman, Brackley, Great Britain
"Ft. De Soto Park was a stunning venue for the race. I liked the fact that costumes were encouraged – I think sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. I look forward to the January half-marathon as well as to participating in future Halloween Half-marathons."
- Bob "Santa Claus" Petersen, Columbia, SC
Our Upcoming Races:
3rd Annual Florida Beach Halfathon & 5K Race
Sunday, March 18, 2012 * Ft. De Soto Park
2nd Annual Partners For Life Police Appreciation 10K / 5K & 1 Mile Walk
Sunday, May 6, 2012 * St. Petersburg
4th Annual Florida Halloween Halfathon & 5K Race
Sunday, October 28, 2012 * Ft. De Soto Park
11th Annual Florida Holiday Halfathon
Sunday, December 9, 2012 * Madeira
Beach to Largo
8th Annual Clearwater Halfathon
7th Annual Clearwater 5-Miler
4th Annual Clearwater 5K Fitness Walk
4th Annual Clearwater 5K Fitness Walk
Sunday, January 20, 2013 * Clearwater
For additional information for any of our events, please visit www.FloridaRoadRaces.com.
All our races are located on Florida's west coast near Tampa Bay. With our award-winning, white sandy beaches, we are known as "Florida's Beach" – the perfect spot to recover after running our races. Visit www.FloridasBeach.com.
In addition to offering finisher awards and event overall awards after each race, we will also track each athlete's finishing times and add them together to determine Champions of the Florida Halfathon Challenge.
Athletes accumulate their total finishing time by completing any three of our four halfathons during each season from Halloween through March. Those athletes who complete all four of our halfathons will have their slowest time dropped automatically.
To recognize our fastest and most consistent halfathon athletes, we will offer special overall and age-group rewards based on three halfathons. We will also recognize athletes who complete all four of our halfathons in a special way, yet to be determined.
