Sarasota is off and running, and we mean lots of running.

Last night marked the announcement of a new Sarasota Signature Event, the Sarasota Music Half Marathon, a combined endurance test, dance party and community celebration organized by local sporting authorities Tony Driscoll, owner of Sarasota Open and Longboat Key Triathlon promoter, Molly Jackson, co-owner of New Balance Sarasota and Fleet Feet Sarasota, and recent transplant John Korff, founder and former owner of the New York City Triathlon.

Described as a “13.1 Mile Moving Party,” the Sarasota Music Half Marathon is the brainchild of Korff, who was struck by the absence of any major running event in the area.

“What I found when talking to the community was that when an athlete wanted to do a race that was important to them, an experiential race, they all left town,” said Korff. “There’s an opportunity in that there’s no event that everybody says ‘This is what makes me proud to live here, as a runner.’ ”

Korff’s creation is a half marathon starting at the Van Wezel, spanning across Ringling Bridge to St. Armand’s Key, back across and through Bayfront, down Orange Avenue and circling Cherokee Park before returning to the Van Wezel. It’s a 13.1-mile stretch of scenic Sarasota vistas—over water, past beaches and through palm-lined and manicured neighborhoods.

What makes the race unlike countless other half marathons organized around the country is the atmosphere Korff and his cohorts plan to create along the path. He aims for somewhere around 12 to 15 entertainment stations spaced down the track, where local musicians and bands will play outdoor concerts to motivate the runners and entertain the spectators. To spur on contestants, complimentary cowbells will be distributed to enthusiastic onlookers.

To spur on everyone else, there will be Girl Scout Cookies.

Key to Korff’s plan, is to create something that the entire community can rally behind and enjoy regardless of ability or desire to run the race itself.

“You need to make it more fun for people,” said Korff. “It’s really got to be an experience. The spectators are an integral part of that.”

The race is scheduled for Feb. 8 and will coincide with a much shorter race, the Rockin’ Bridge Run 4 Miler, a trek over the Ringling Bridge and back, complete with entertainment stations.

This first year, participation will be capped at 2,000 runners. Registration is now open at $65 per runner, with prices rising steadily in bi-monthly increments.

Register for the Event