I've run this in both 2013 and 2014. Simply the best half marathon in the area. Period. Pancake-flat course with long straight segments and gentle curves (aside from some cul-de-sac turnarounds). Free pasta dinner the night before the race for runners. A final mile lined with spectators cheering, and an announcer calling everyone's name as they come in (you feel like an Olympian). Enough prize money ($1200 for 1st place in both genders, down to $200 for 5th, awards for top local competitors and top Americans, along with masters/grandmasters/seniors and age group awards) to attract elites -- it's pretty cool seeing someone throw down a sub-5 minute mile pace to win.

Parking is downtown in the city garages, and some businesses offer up their parking lots; there's usually a bit of a walk to parking from the finish. The finish line is right next to one of the larger parks in the area, so there's plenty of room for massage tables, a beer truck (and this year, nachos!), and the post-race buffet.

This race attracts over 2000 participants, and the Gulf Coast Runners strives to improve it every year. It's the best race in the area, and it shows continuous improvement. Who doesn't want to come to Florida in January?