• THIS YEAR THE RACE WAS IN OCTOBER •
For 13 years, the First Watch Sarasota Half & Relay was in March. This year the event moved to October. That meant a different mindset for training over the Summer. It also meant more heat and humidity on race day.

• WEATHER & SAFETY CHANGED RACE PLANS •
There was severe weather during the days before the race. Saturday’s 5K was rained out. It was moved to Sunday morning with the other events.

Between 8-9 pm on Saturday night, it was announced that the second half of the half and relay course wasn’t going to be safe for runners.

Race management notified racers via social media and email that Half participants would get a refund. Half runners were invited to run the 10K for FREE on Sunday. Relay runners could run their 6.2 miles together instead of in two legs.

There’s no question, last minute changes are upsetting. The downside to a late announcement is some people don't see the message until race morning. I felt bad for out-of-town runners who traveled for a half.

I thought First Watch Sarasota did a good job handling everything. Participants had choices:
• Choose to skip the race and get a full refund
• Run a 10K and get a full refund
• Run with your relay partner instead of in shifts
• Make it a training run with on-course support, a finisher medal, and a post race party

That worked for me and a couple thousand other runners who showed up on Sunday morning. Race management thanked everyone for understanding.

Side note: Since there wasn't a half marathon, there weren't any pacers with signs to help runners seed themselves in the corrals. No big deal since there were fewer runners, but I missed having that cue.

• RACE DAY •
80 degrees and super humid at the starting line. We started in the dark, which felt good. Everyone I talked to was in good spirits.

• POST RACE •
After the race, everyone received a medal, water, and gatorade endurance at the finish line. The beer garden was open and serving Michelob Light and hard seltzers.

The food tent had lots of food: apples, bananas, muffins, yogurt parfaits, and hot pancakes.

I love sitting by Sarasota Bay — close to the water there was a nice breeze. There was a live band playing music, too.

• EXPO + PACKET PICKUP + SWAG •
There isn't an official expo. There were a few vendor tents at the race.

Packet pickup was at the downtown Sarasota Fit2Run store on Friday and Saturday, and at the registration tent on race morning.

Runners got a race shirt, sunscreen, chapstick, probiotic and CBD samples. There were discount coupons for First Watch, Floyd’s of Leadville, and Up4 Probiotics in the goodie bag. I always size up for this race shirt, and was happy with it.

• PARKING •
Less runners meant more parking spots at Van Wezel. When you park there you are steps away from the start/finish line and all the festivities.

• RACE COURSE •
I love running the Ringling Bridge, so I was happy. It's a good challenge for me. You go over the bridge twice — on your way to and from St. Armand’s Circle. And the downhills are so.much.fun!

The 10K course is the first half of the half marathon course. Runners start at Van Wezel, then run on Tamiami Trail to the bridge. There’s a long approach on both sides of the bridge. We went over the bridge, did a loop around St. Armand’s Circle, then over the bridge again. Then, we ran on Tamiami Trail back to Van Wezel.

Normally, the half marathon (miles 7-11) takes runners through mature older neighborhoods with bay views, big trees, and pretty homes. We skipped that this year.

• AID STATIONS •
I think there were 4 (5?) aid stations on the course. There was Gatorade Endurance thirst quencher and water offered at each one. There were GE gels after mile 4. There was water and GE at the finish line.

• MEDALS •
Everyone got the medal for their original race registration. Half mara runners got a a half medal despite running a 10K. I’m happy to have it. I appreciate the creativity and design. It’s a beauty!

• FINAL NOTE •
If you run long enough you’ll experience cancelled and postponed races. No race org wants to cancel or modify a race. Life happens. It’s part of the deal, and that’s okay. Hopefully, next year the race won't have any problems.

I enjoyed my 10K on Sunday. It was a challenge with hills, heat, and humidity. And, there were beautiful bridge views, on-course support, and finish line festivities with tasty food and beverages.

There’s only happiness when I get to race through Sarasota with a couple thousand sweaty running friends!

Check out photos and more details: http://www.thisoldrunner.com/2019-first-watch-sarasota-half.html

Link to this review