The race is nearly here! For those participating, now is the time to start tapering your training, schedule out your meal and hydration plans and double check your travel arrangements. March 1st will be here before we know it, but the fun starts on Friday, February 28th. Here’s one final reminder of all of the fun you don’t want to miss as a part of the Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K.
February 28th – Pre-Race Party, Taste of The Race
Taste of the Race with Chef Emeril Lagasse marks the official start of the three-day race weekend celebration. The annual culinary event takes place on Friday night at the Seaside Lyceum. This vibrant event is not just for race participants, everyone is invited to celebrate, enjoy amazing food and live music and kick off another great Seaside race weekend! Chef Emeril Lagasse is live and in-person for the event, and guests enjoy cuisine from Emeril’s restaurants as well as over a dozen local eateries with chefs competing to have the night’s most popular dish. There’s no better way to celebrate all things Seaside and start race weekend off right. The outdoor festivities are held rain or shine in a heated tent where guests can also get the first peak and beginning bidding on items at the highly-anticipated silent auction benefiting the Seaside School. Guests will be treated to live music from The Bucktown All Stars.
Space is extremely limited and tickets are nearly sold out, so be sure to grab yours while they last at www.runseasidefl.com.
February 29th – Packet Pick-Up & Expo
Saturday is all about the Race Expo, and this is no ordinary packet pickup. Race Expo is free to attend and open to the general public from 12:00 to 6:00 PM at the Seaside Lyceum. This is the time for race participants pick up their registration packets and highly sought after commemorative race shirt. Local and national vendors at the Expo will offer a wide variety of equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories for runners in addition to specialty items that anyone would enjoy. The sounds of the Seaside School Band will fill the air and the silent auction items will be on display for bidding.
Don’t forget to pack your Atlanta Braves cap! 30A local, Tom Glavine, will be taking photos and signing autographs during the Race Expo for a suggested $20 donation. A pitcher, Glavine played Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. He was the MVP of the 1995 World Series when the Atlanta Braves beat the Cleveland Indians. All donations will go directly to support the Seaside School Foundation and their mission to further excellence through education at the Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School. Photos will be available at the Epic Photo Co. booth, but guests are welcome to bring in baseballs or other memorabilia to sign. (Limit one per $20 donation.)
March 1st – Race Day
The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K takes place Sunday, March 1st beginning at 7:00 AM. The out and back course takes half marathoners down the famed Scenic Hwy 30-A to Gulf Place and back to Seaside. 5K participants will turn back at Grayton Beach State Park. The sounds of the post-race party and awaiting family, friends and spectators greet runners as they approach the finish line back where it all started in downtown Seaside. Half marathon finishers will receive a unique race medal and gift from long-time race sponsor Vera Bradley. A complimentary beer from Grayton Beer Company and post-race meal from award-winning Seaside restaurants refuel racers just enough to enjoy the post-race party and awards presentation. Finishers from both races along with family, friends and spectators stick around long after the finish line has been crossed to enjoy the post-race party throughout the town of Seaside. Live music, race awards and the silent auction’s final call entertain the crowds as they stroll the many restaurants and shops of downtown Seaside or rest their race-tested legs on the amphitheater lawn.
Be sure to check the FAQs of the race to get all of the little details that you may need to make this annual tradition the perfect weekend in Seaside, FL.
Whether you are running, cheering on a friend or family member or just looking to enjoy a great weekend in Seaside, you’ll be in good company. For those with tickets to Taste of the Race, you’ll be one of 500 people sampling the best in South Walton cuisine served up by over 20 local chefs. Over 3,500 runners will cross the finish line on March 1st. It takes an army to pull together all of the details that make the event a success. Over 400 volunteers contribute their time and energy over the weekend to keep thing running smooth. All of this effort and hard work over the weekend helps maximize the funds raised for the Seaside School.
Get ready! Race weekend is approaching quickly! Keep an eye on runseasidefl.com and the race’s social media pages to stay up-to-date on everything you’ll need to know over the next week. Good luck and have fun!
