Rocking Tunes of Sarasota Music Half Marathon

SRQ Story Project

On Sunday, February 7, racers from 41 states and 13 countries gathered at the starting line for the Sarasota Music Half Marathon at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Braving high winds and cooler than normal temperatures, runners navigated through the heart of Sarasota to the beat of live music, cheering fans and the sound of clanging cowbells, one of the race’s signature sounds. Altogether, 20 local bands lent their talent and voices to 2,800 men, women and children along the course, which spanned the iconic Ringling Bridge, St. Armands Circle and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens before looping down Orange Avenue into one of Sarasota’s beautiful tree-lined avenues. For runners, the race itself was only the beginning of a daylong celebration of food and music. The finish line festivities featured a main stage with prime views of the bay and a gourmet breakfast catered by Mattison’s and a family-friendly festival atmosphere that the creators of Sarasota Music Half Marathon envisioned when planning one of Sarasota’s most rapidly growing events. The number of entrants in the 2016 race nearly doubled since its debut in 2015. Local runner Warren Grajalez, 17, was the overall winner finishing at an impressive 1:15:01, a pace of 5:44 per mile. A portion of every race entry plays a role in supporting Sarasota through various community causes like education, children and adults with special needs, young professional organizations, cancer research and local animal shelters. The entire event is a stunning display of what the community is capable of: hosting, serving, encouraging and singing a record number of runners through a city that is as supportive as it is beautiful. Registration for the 2017 Sarasota Music Half Marathon, taking place February 5, is now open! For details, visit SarasotaHalf.com. 

The Sarasota Music Half Marathon is a 2016 SRQ Story Project partner and the featured non-profit organization this February. To learn more about the race, the community partners supported by Sarasota Music Half Marathon and to register for 2017, visit them online at SarasotaHalf.com.

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