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Florida > Clearwater Halfathon & 5-Miler
Clearwater,
FL
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Date
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Event
Details
First run in 2006 as a replacement for the Florida Gulf Beaches
Marathon race, which had to be suspended due to road construction along
the course that had been used for the event, the Clearwater Halfathon
will mark its fourth annual running in 2009 and is now joined by the
Clearwater 5-Miler, a five-mile road race that takes runners along a
portion of the same course used by those running in the event's
13.1-mile race.
Both races start at Clearwater's Coachman Park, a 20-acre park that
overlooks the blue waters of the Clearwater Harbor and is the site each
year of the city's Clearwater Jazz Holiday and the Christmas Under the
Oaks Arts Festival. From there, runners follow the out-and-back course
first around the streets of downtown just outside the park, and then
begin their ascent of the Clearwater Memorial Bridge over the harbor,
under the shade of palm trees with the rising morning sun on the
horizon.
Once over the bridge, runners then follow the course as it winds
through the streets of Clearwater Beach Island and across the Gulf
Boulevard bridge over to Sand Key Island, taking runners through Sand
Key County Park and to the turnaround point on Gulf Blvd., where the
field then begins the trek back toward the finish line. While most of
the course is fast and flat (this is Florida, after all) and is run on
paved surfaces, the bridges are probably the most challenging points
along the course, and feature the biggest changes in elevation -- which
last for a good long stretch, as the Clearwater Memorial Bridge spans
nearly a mile and a half.
After the bridges (each of
which participants cross twice), the rest of the course is flat. Race
organizers say that fitness walkers are encouraged to come out and
participate in either the half marathon or the 5-mile race, both of
which begin at 7:05 AM. There is a three-hour course limit for both
runners and walkers -- so slower walkers are permitted and encouraged
to start their race at 6:35 AM -- as the course will be re-opened to
traffic after 10:00 AM.
Race
Weather & Climate
Situated on Florida's Gulf Coast near St. Petersburg, Clearwater
features typically mild Florida winters, and runners should expect some
chill in the morning on the day of the race. In January, temperatures
in Clearwater average between 50°F and 72°F.
Fees
$45 for the half marathon, if registered by November 8, 2009
$55 between Nov. 9 - December 20
$60 between Dec. 21 - January 16, 2010
$60 online only by Jan. 20
$70 on-site on Jan. 22 - 23
Registration
To reserve your spot in the winter 2010 running of the Clearwater
Halfathon, register online at the event website
or print out and mail in this
downloadable entry form.
Website
www.clearwaterhalf.info
Course Map
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Larger Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Clearwater's annual Clearwater Halfathon? Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Discuss it in the HalfMarathons.Net
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