The Inaugural Women's Half Marathon & 5K took place in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. Snaking along the scenic waterfront, through quaint communities, past historic buildings and museums the fast, flat course provided runners with lasting memories as well as the opportunity to PR.
Health and Fitness Expo at The Renaissance Vinoy Resort
The two day Health and Fitness Expo, held at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort was incredibly well organized. Runners checked in to receive their bib and goody bag, a beautiful recycled Kendall Kollection tote bag designed by Jacqueline Savage McFee. The bib was perforated into sections for a gear check in tag and coupons for a pretty technical race shirt and pink Crocs. The goody bag contained a nice variety of items including: a Snickers Marathon bar, GU Chomps, California Dried Prunes, and the latest issue of Women's Running Magazine. Although there were some male runners, the expo was certainly geared more toward women with vendors such as Running Skirts, Running Princess, and Run Girl Run. Katherine Switzer was at the expo signing her latest book, Marathon Woman, and ran the half marathon too.
Half Marathon Course in Downtown St. Petersburg
The generous course time limit, set at 4 hours and 30 minutes, made the Women's Half Marathon very walker friendly. The race start and finish takes place in front of the famous waterfront Mahaffey Theater, where runners could see the new Dali Museum under construction. Participants were impressed with the beauty of the course which for the majority ran alongside water, including the bay and Mirror Lake. Runners were given some unique opportunities to trek on famous landmarks including The Pier and right on to the field at Tropicana Field.
Spectator Viewing Locations for Women's Half Marathon
The Women's Half Marathon is very spectator-friendly, offering ample opportunity to view runners several times. Runner pass Pioneer Park three times during the course of the race and the park is located very close to the start/finish line. Viewers can also catch their runners several times if they wait at the base of The Pier since race participants will go out and back on The Pier and return back toward downtown at mile 8. This location is also a short walking distance to the start/finish line along the bay front area. Water courses were abundant and GU was offered at the mile 8 station. There were also rest rooms available at each of the six water stations.
Finishing the Women's Half Marathon
Christa Benton, 25, of St. Petersburg, was the first place finisher at the inaugural Women's Half Marathon event. Her time was 1 hour 20 minutes and 2 seconds, an average pace of 6:06.5.
All who crossed the finish line received a unique finisher's medal that can be converted to a pendant to celebrate the achievement every day. Racers were treated to a post race party at Albert Whitted Park with refreshments that included cookies from Publix.
The Women's Running Magazine Half Marathon is set to become an annual event that will be held each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Krista Sadlers - Krista Sadlers is a freelance writer, based out of Sebastian, FL whose education, work and hobbies have given her areas of expertise in a ...
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