Neighbor News
12th Annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon returns March 19th
Event fuels Sarasota's economy, runners and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Sarasota’s longest running half marathon, the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, returns March 19, 2017 for the 12th annual running, fueling Sarasota’s economy with an additional $3.4+ million while also helping to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The St. Jude partnership includes allocating a portion of the registrations to runners who want to support the hospital, gain entry to the race after it sells out, as well as earn special VIP perks as a thank you for their support.
Fueling Sarasota’s economy today and tomorrow
Compiled by Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center (SIRC) in Philadelphia and based on a survey that was sent to the 3,000 participants from the 2016 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay, the race continues to be one of the area’s largest single event economic contributors, generating more than $3.47M to the local economy, increasing household incomes of local residents by over $1.33M and generating 39 new jobs in the area.
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Hotel room nights, F&B, Retail boosts
The race also attracts a significant number of visitors from outside the area, helping to fill hotel rooms, restaurants and bring business to retail stores. Of the total 3,000 participants, 87 percent came from out of town with 46 percent of these staying in a local hotel, generating an estimated 1,385 room nights and $866,573 in total expenditures, an increase of 28 percent over 2015, which had $843,313 total expenditures. Food & beverage generated almost $500K in revenue and retail shopping more than $262K.
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Future vacation visitors
The race also bodes well for Sarasota tourism, with 74 percent of all non-local participants saying they would be willing to recommend Sarasota as a travel and more than half (55 percent) intending to return to Sarasota for a vacation within 12 months.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital partnership
The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon charity partnership capitalizes on the successful relationship that already exists between Life Time℠, producers of the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon, and St. Jude, via the South Beach Triathlon, where more than $1.5 million has been raised over the past five years. The partners hope to replicate the impact in Sarasota over the next several years and help St. Jude continue to lead how the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life threatening diseases, of which Sarasota families also benefit. Organizers have set an initial goal of raising $25,000 from the 2017 First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon.
Participant perks
Runners and walkers also get special treatment from First Watch Restaurants, which sponsors the post-race party, including its signature healthy and elaborate post-race breakfast buffet, which includes made-to-order pancakes, fresh fruit yogurt parfaits, bagels, muffins, juice and more. Festivities also include live entertainment and a beer garden (21 years and older) along with one of the most coveted finisher’s medals from any Florida endurance event. Additional perks include:
- Four-location packet pick up locations in Miami, University Park, Sarasota and on Race Day
- Gender specific tech t-shirts
- Runner tracking via text messaging
- Goodie bag
- Gear Check starting at 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. at start/finish (clear plastic bags provided in goodie bag)
- Mile marker aid stations and highly visible timing system
- Kids Corner featuring face painting, balloon artists, and interactive games and contests
Course Route
The first half of the 13.1 mile course starts at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, goes over the John Ringling Bridge and around St. Armand’s then back to the Relay Exchange at 6.2 miles. The second half of the course continues up US 41/Tamiami Trail before turning left at Indian Beach Drive and doing a neighborhood loop up to the Ringling Museum then returning back along Bay Shore Road to US41 and the finish at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The course is ideally suited for both runners and walkers (no strollers or pets) with a four-hour cut-off time (18 mins/mile pace).
Course Map: http://www.sarasotahalfmaratho...
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 7.6 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.
Location (start/finish)
6:45 am – first wave race start time
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
How to register (individual and St. Jude charity program)
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).
About First Watch
First Watch specializes in award-winning, made-to-order Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch. A recipient of more than 200 “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch offers traditional favorites, such as omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads, and unique specialty items like Quinoa Power Bowls, Avocado Toast and the Chickichanga. First Watch was named the 2016 top Family Dining restaurant by Consumer Reports, a 2015 Top Consumer Pick by Nation’s Restaurant News and a 2014 Top Franchise Value by FSR Magazine. First Watch is the largest and fastest-growing daytime-only restaurant concept in the U.S. with more than 295 restaurants in 26 states, including more than 195 First Watch restaurants, 97 The Egg & I restaurants, one The Good Egg restaurant in Phoenix and one Bread & Company restaurant in Nashville. For more information, visit firstwatch.com.
About Life TimeSM, The Healthy Way of Life Company
Life Time® is a privately held, comprehensive health and lifestyle company that offers a personalized and scientific approach to long-term health and wellness. Through its portfolio of distinctive resort-like destinations, athletic events and corporate health services, the Healthy Way of Life Company helps members achieve their goals everyday with the support of a team of dedicated professionals and an array of proprietary health assessments. As of January 2017 the company operates 122 centers in 26 states and 35 major markets under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC® brands in the United States and Canada.