12th Annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay, March 19

Photo Caption: Runners catch a scenic sunrise view as part of the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon course. The 12th Annual running takes place Sun., March 19th and a four-hour course time limit makes it ideal for walkers too. Registration is open through race day: www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com.

Local and visiting runners and walkers still have the opportunity to register for the 12th Annual First Watch Sarasota Half-Marathon & Relay on Sun., March 19, 2017, with on-line and on-site registration available through packet pick up on Sun., March 19, 2017 by 6:30 a.m.

St. Jude Charity fundraising spots still available

For runners and walkers looking for a way to give back and receive some special perks, a partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers an 100 additional spots through its partnership with Life Time – Healthy Way of Life ™, organizers of the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon. The campaign raises funds to help St. Jude as it leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

For more information on how to register as an individual, relay team or St. Jude Hero, visit: www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com.

On-site registration and packet pick up locations:

Fri., March 17

10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Fit2Run University Town Center - Sarasota

Sat., March 18

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Packet Pick Up

Fit2Run Downtown - 1400 Main St – Sarasota

Sun., March 19 – RACE DAY

5:30-6:30 a.m. | Registration open and packet pick up

6:45 a.m. | Race Start

7:55-8:05 | Male winner crosses finish line (estimated)

8:05-8:15 | Female winner crosses finish line (estimated)

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

777 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34236

Course route

The course will follow the same route as 2016, which was modified to better accommodate residents, minimize traffic delays and provide the optimal scenic course route for runners and walkers. The first half of the course will start at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, go over the John Ringling Bridge and around St. Armand’s, and then back to Tamiami Trail/US 41 to the Relay Exchange at 6.2 miles.

The second half of the course then heads north on Tamiami Trail/US 41 before turning left at Indian Beach Drive, doing a loop to the Ringling Museum and back along Bay Shore Road to Tamiami Trail/US41 and finishing at Van Wezel.

Course map: www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com/race/half-marathon/course

Two-Person relay course & exchange area

The two-person relay consists of two segments, the first being 6.2 miles from Van Wezel to St. Armand’s and then back to the exchange area outside Van Wezel. The next relay team leg covers 6.9 miles to the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and then back to Van Wezel, where teammates meet each other at the exchange area to head to and cross the finish line together.

Road closures

The race begins at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 10th Street and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Runners will proceed south to go out and back over the John Ringling Causeway, clearing this section by 8:15 a.m.

All participants will be off the remaining sections of the course by 10:30 a.m. and moved to sidewalks if they have not reached the finish line. Most of the roadways are expected to be clear of runners and walkers before 10:30 due to rolling reopening procedures as noted below.

The City of Sarasota Police Department will be providing road/traffic management and security services throughout the race and assisting automobiles through intersections in between gaps of runner packs.

Following is a list of temporary lane closures for the following locations:

• 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. -- Southbound US 41 from 10th Street to Gulfstream Avenue
• 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. -- John Ringling Causeway, Westbound lanes starting at Gulf Stream Ave to St. Armand’s Circle
• 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – St. Armand’s Circle to Adams Drive (all directions)
• 6:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – US 41/N Tamiami Trail, Southbound 10th Street and Indian Beach Drive
• 6:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Indian Beach Drive (North/West) to 47th Street