ATHLETE
GUIDE
General Information / Pre-Race
Welcome!
Thanks for racing the inaugural Sarasota Music Half Marathon, a Signature Event for Sarasota. We hope you enjoy the
race, the bands, the Girl Scout Cookies, the post-race buffet and your finisher’s medal. We look forward to seeing big
smiles at the finish on Sunday. Below is the information you need for your race day. No fluff, just the facts. For more info,
FAQ’s, list of bands and more, click here, or visit sarasotahalf.com.
Race Day:
Sunday / February 8, 2015
Start/Finish:
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida.
The Start / Finish is in front of the Van Wezel box office.
Start Time:
7:00 am
“Line-Up”:
6:45 am
Cut-off: 4 hours, 18:19 minutes/mile
Packet Pick-Up - New Balance Sarasota, 941.921.3696
Friday: Feb. 6, New Balance Sarasota,1872 Stickney Point Road. 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday:
Feb. 7, New Balance Sarasota,1872 Stickney Point Road. 10:00am - 4:00pm
Race Morning / Sunday:
Feb. 8, Van Wezel Bayfront Lawn, 777 North Tamiami Trail, 5:30am - 6:30am (Note: This is to
accommodate people who are driving over an hour to get to the race. Snooze you lose.)
Parking is available in the New Balance parking lot.
Photo ID
You must bring photo ID to pick-up your packet.
If a friend is picking up your packet that person must have your id, a photo, or a copy of your ID.
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Beer Wrist Band
If you are 21 or older, a race volunteer will put a special wrist band on your wrist at packet pick-up. This will allow you to
enter the beer garden and get beer at the beer mile, approximately mile 12.5. If you pick-up a friend’s packet, you will
not be able to collect that person’s wrist band. Athletes picking up their packet race morning or athletes who did not get
their wristband at New Balance packet pick-up may get a wristband race morning at the designated area on Van Wezel’s
south lawn with photo ID. ALLOW 30 MINUTES EXTRA TIME TO PICK UP YOUR PACKET/WRISTBAND RACE
MORNING. If you tamper or remove the wristband, you will be denied beer service. You can’t take off the wristband and
tape it back on. Not nice. Play by the rules. Photo ID.
Chip Timing (Bib)
The race is chip timed. The chip is built in to your racing bib. Make sure to wear your bib during the race. No bib, no
time, no finish, no pictures, no buffet, no fun.
Spectator Guide & Selby Gardens Spectator Guide
Click here to download the Spectator Guide and the Selby Spectator Guide or visit sarasotahalf.com. Give it to your
posse and pals. This is your day. Let Dad figure out where to watch. You’ve got enough on your plate. There are 16
bands, many that you pass twice, so there’s ample opportunity for your extended fan club to watch you shake, rattle and
roll.
Course Map
Download the Course Map here, or visit sarasotahalf.com/course. Essentially, you follow the person in front of you.
Band Locations
For a listing of bands and their locations click here. or visit sarasotahalf.com/bands.
Anticipated Weather (Temperature)
February weather is typically low/mid 60’s at race start warming up to low 70’s by the finish. If you’re really curious go to
weather.com or stick you head outside your window.
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Race Day - Sunday, 02.08.15
Parking - On Site
You may park in the Van Wezel parking lot, but space is limited. Van Wezel is located at 777 North Tamiami Trail,
Sarasota and will open at 5:30am for athlete parking. If you only intend to arrive in time to pee and run, you should scout
out nearby lots on Saturday since Van Wezel may be full.
Parking Oﬀ - Site
Street parking is available as well as parking in nearby lots.
Packet Pick-Up
Limited packet-pick-up is available race morning from 5:30am – 6:30am at the starting area. You must bring photo ID to
pick-up your packet.
Start / Finish
Race start and finish is directly in front of Van Wezel box office. The start/finish is NOT on 10th Street in the parking lot.
Bag Check / Bag Re-Claim
Bag check and reclaim is in front of Van Wezel near the start / finish. Please do not leave valuables in your checked bag.
No bearer bonds. Bag check opens at 5:30 am and concludes at 11:30 am. All unclaimed bags will be available for
reclaim at New Balance Sarasota Monday, February 9 – 16. New Balance Sarasota is located at 1872 Stickney Point
Road, Sarasota. Any unclaimed bag will be donated to Goodwill after February 16.
Spectator Food/Coﬀee
Food and beverages are available for your friends and family for purchase at Van Wezel’s Bay Front Lawn on the south
side of Van Wezel from 6:30 am – 11:00 am. Coffee, drinks, and Bloody Mary’s (yes!) and family priced food will be
served.
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Start Location and Times
The race starts in front of the Van Wezel box office, not in the parking lot on 10th Street.
6:30am Corals open for line-up
6:50am National Anthem by the Sarasota Military Academy Color Guard
6:58am Wheelchair start
7:00am Corral start. NOTE: The exact race start will be determined by the race director and police.
Start Corrals
The race is a corral start on the ‘honor system’. Please line up in the corral with the marking according to your
anticipated pace per mile. Your recorded time starts when you cross the start map, not when the gun goes off. Walkers you have plenty of time. Please line up in the final corrals. It means you get more time to enjoy the music.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are available at the start / finish line and at every aid station along the course. Handicapped accessible
toilettes are also available.
Aid / Fuel Station Locations
Aid stations are approximately every 1 ½ miles. All aid stations offer water and sports drink. Energy gel will be available at
the halfway point.
Salute to America’s Vets, Miles 6 and 10.5
The race is honored to salute America’s veterans. Veterans will be on hand near the Sarasota Military Academy Drum
Line and Bag Pipe bands to cheer you on. High five the vets and show your support.
Girl Scout Cookie Mile, Mile 8
The Girl Scout Cookie ‘Mile’ is adjacent to the Cherokee Park aid station. Sorry, no chocolate milk.
Beer Mile, Mile 12.5
The Michelob Ultra Beer ‘Mile’ is on Hwy 41 at approximately Fruitville Ave. To enjoy the pre-finish celebration, you must
wear your race-issued wristband. If you aren’t wearing your wristband, or if your wristband has been removed or tamped
with, you will be denied service.
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Selfie Contest
Carry your cell phone and take selfies along the way. Tag ‘Sarasota Music Half Marathon’ and use #sarasotahalf on your
Facebook photos and send your pictures to [email protected] and you could win a free entry for 2016. The
photo with the most ‘Likes’ wins the free entry.
Sag Wagon
A sag wagon (van) will follow the last participant. If you cannot continue, you can hop a ride in the Sag Wagon. If you fall
below a four hour pace and want to continue, you must walk/run on the sidewalk and obey the rules of the road. If you
get in the sag wagon and then want to continue, you may do so but your time will not count for an award.
Medical Services
Race medical personnel are available at the start / finish line and at several locations throughout the course route. If you
are in need of medical attention, proceed to the closest aid station or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
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Post Race & More
Finisher Medal
Each finisher receives a special custom “spinner” finisher medal upon crossing the finish line.
Awards Presentation - 9:30am / Main Stage
The on-site awards presentation recognizes the top three overall male and female finishers, and the top male and female
in the masters (40+), grandmasters (50+) and super grandmasters (60+) age groups. Awards will be presented at the
Main Stage. Athletes are not eligible for two awards.
All other awards may be picked up in the awards tent next to the Main Stage following the race. These awards will not be
presented on stage. For a complete list of age groups click here or visit sarasotahalf.com/awards-results.
Mattison’s Gourmet Breakfast Buﬀet
The post-race athlete buffet, catered by Mattison’s, is available on Van Wezel’s south lawn (Bayfront Lawn). You must
wear your bib, which includes your buffet ticket, to enjoy this scrumptious gourmet buffet. The buffet is for athletes only.
Motown Post Race Party Band
Reverend Barry and Funktastic Soul Featuring the Hellacious Horns will be playing from approximately 8:15 am – 11:30
am on Van Wezel’s south lawn (Bayfront Lawn). Enjoy the music, enjoy the food, and enjoy the sun.
Beer Garden
Michelob Ultra and a shandy-style signature drink are available near the buffet on Van Wezel’s south lawn. Athletes MUST
wear the race-issued wristband to receive beer. You will be denied beer service if the wristband is not on the wrist or has
been tampered with (cut, removed, taped).
Massage
Massage therapy is offered by the Sarasota-Manatee Sports Massage Therapy Team in the massage tent located on Van
Wezel’s south lawn near the buffet area from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (noon). The cost for massage therapy is $12/ten
minutes and $6 for each additional five minutes. Kinesio taping is $20/application or $10/application with massage.
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Your Race Pictures - FinisherPix – Powered by Smiles
FinisherPix will be at the Sarasota Music Half Marathon to cover your race and to take care of your memories. Your
photos are available on www.finisherpix.com by noon Tuesday, February 10. Help us get the best photos of you!
Keep an eye out for our photographers and smile! Even if it hurts.
Whenever possible, please help to keep your race number visible so we can identify your photos.
Smile & celebrate when you cross the finish line!
Finishing Times
Finishing times are posted on the race website, www.sarasotahalf.com no later than 4:00 pm February 8.
Post-Race Feedback
Tell us what you thought of the race. Did you have fun? Did the race live up to your expectations? Would you do the race
again? What did you like and what didn’t you like. You’re our secret shopper…shhhh. Email [email protected] with
your feedback. Also, the official “post-race survey” will be emailed to you on Tuesday, February 10. Attaboys or
suggestions, that’s how the race gets better.
2016 Entry Process
Entries for 2016 open on race day! Special race day pricing is $45 until 11:59pm EST on February 8.
The first 300 registrants receive a FREE cowbell and an “In-Training” tech t-shirt. The shirt will be picked up at New
Balance Sarasota, or mailed to our out of town guests in March. How cool is that!
Special one-week entry fee is $55. Offer ends February 15 at 11:59pm EST.
Shake, rattle and roll in 2016!
Volunteer Shoutout
And a special thanks to our 550 volunteers…YOU ROCK!
More Questions?
Visit sarasotahalf.com, email [email protected], or call 201.888.8916. " of 10
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G
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After Mile 1
Continue on
Causeway to
St. Armands Key
After Mile 5
Exit N Causeway
via Hart’s Landing
Re-enter S Causeway
to
to Gulf
Gulfstream
Stream
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C
H
I
J
After Mile 11
Re-enter N Causeway
via Hart’s Landing
to Return to Finish
via
via Gulf
Gulfstream
Stream || Hwy
Hwy 41
41
A
B
K
L
M
O
Cherokee Dr
N
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Thank you to our sponsors…
HIGH PERFORMANCE
SWEATGEAR
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