Race Weekend Info

Race Week

Registration and packet pickup at a location to be determined.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Registration and packet pickup at Madeira Beach City Hall.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

5:30 a.m.	Registration and packet pickup opens at Madeira Beach City Hall
7:05 a.m.	Walkers early start
7:30 a.m.	Wheelchairs start Half Marathon
7:35 a.m.	Runners start Half Marathon
10:00 a.m.	Overall awards
10:15 a.m.	Age-group awards
10:35 a.m.	Finish line closes
12:00 p.m.	Last shuttle leaves Taylor Park

Start
300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach

Finish
Lakefront at Taylor Park

Distance
13.1 miles / 21.0975 kilometers

Course Profile

The course is fast and flat. The highest point (Park Boulevard Bridge, four miles into the course) is just 25 feet above sea level, with the rest of the course 10 - 25 feet above sea level. The point-to-point course heads north through our five, unique beach communities to Indian Shores, before heading inland to Seminole, and north along the Pinellas Trail to the lakefront finish line in Taylor Park.

Course Highlights

Start time is fifteen minutes after sunrise.

The course tours through exclusive residential neighborhoods and commercial areas on Gulf Boulevard.

Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is the longest "rails-to-trails" linear park in the country.

Taylor Park is a beautiful setting to finish the Florida Gulf Beaches Holiday Halfathon.

Click here for a "Mile by Mile" overview of the course.

Coming soon, please check back for our Spectators' Guide to cheering on your favorite runner.

USATF Sanctioned

All our races are sanctioned and insured through USATF for runners, joggers, and walkers ONLY. Strollers, skaters, skateboards and bicycles are NOT allowed on the course during our races.

USATF Certification

Our course is USATF certified (#FL03055DL), meaning it has been precisely measured and all supporting documentation has been approved.

Timing

Official results will be based on "Gun Time" as per USATF rules. Chip times will be posted for our athletes' review, but NOT used for scoring.

Support

We offer Gatorade and water at seven aid stations starting at mile 2. Athletes who feel they will need additional hydration than what we provide are welcome to make their own arrangements, such as carrying additional fluids or having friends meet them along the course.

Fresh Florida oranges are available at the mile 6 aid station.

Medical support is available from ambulances stationed at mile 2, mile 7, and at the finish line. If you need medical assistance, the ambulances will be mobile and able to respond.

Weather Info

Average Low - 52°
Average High - 72°
Average Monthly rainfall - 2.15"
Sunrise: 7:14 a.m.

Entry Fees

$45 online for the first 50 entrants
$55 postmarked/online until July 8, 2012
$65 postmarked/online until November 4, 2012
$75 postmarked/online until December 2, 2012
$75 online only until December 5, 2012
$85 race weekend, on-site registration, December 8-9, 2012

Please make check or money order payable to:
Florida Gulf Beaches Road Races

Refund Policy

There are no deferrals, refunds or transfers, unless you register by August 11, AND notify the race director of your withdrawal at least two weeks prior to the race. Deferrals can be used at any future race we stage. All refunds will be issued after our Beach Halfathon, on or about April 1, 2013. There are absolutely no transfers of entry fees to another athlete.

Confirmation

Click here for online confirmation after August 1. Entrants who register online receive confirmation via active.com auto responder. Entrants who register by mail, your cancelled check will serve as your confirmation. Runners will not receive confirmation postcards.

E-mail Address

Please enter your e-mail address on your entry form so that we can forward race updates to you.

Start-Line Parking

There are several options for parking near the start line.

Free parking is available:
* Behind City Hall
* In the Library Parking Lot, next to City Hall
* Adjacent to the Baseball Fields
Metered parking is available at Archibald Park - bring lots of quarters.

Directions

Address: 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, Florida.

Get driving directions from Google Maps.

From Clearwater (north): South on Seminole Boulevard to Bay Pines, west over causeway to Madeira Beach, turn right on Madeira Way, first right onto Municipal Drive, to Madeira Beach City Hall.

From St. Petersburg (south): West on Tyrone Boulevard onto Bay Pines, continue west over causeway to Madeira Beach, turn right on Madeira Way, first right onto Municipal Drive, to Madeira Beach City Hall.

From Tampa (east): I-275 south to Park Boulevard (Gandy exit), west to Seminole Boulevard, south to Bay Pines, west over causeway to Madeira Beach, turn right on Madeira Way, first right onto Municipal Drive, to Madeira Beach City Hall.

Finish Line Parking
There is parking available throughout Taylor Park.

Post-Race Celebration

Post-race celebration with food, beverage and music provided by local supporters.

Shuttle Buses

Will operate from 9:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon, transporting finishers from the finish line back to the start. Please indicate on the entry form if you will be needing shuttle services, to allow for our proper planning.

Awards

Running Starfish Gold Halfathon Medals for all finishers
Age Group Awards - 3 deep in standard 5 yr. age groups
Overall M/F Awards - 3 deep
Masters M/F Awards - 3 deep
GrandMasters (50+) M/F Awards - 3 deep

Lodging Partners

Doubletree Beach Resort (formerly the Hilton)
Host Resort - located less than 2 miles from the start line
17120 Gulf Boulevard
North Redington Beach, FL 33708
Call (800) 447-7263 or (727) 391-4000 and mention "Half Marathon"

Hampton Inn - located just 1.5 miles from the finish line
100 E. Bay Drive
Largo, FL 33770
(727) 585-3333
(727) 585-3320 fax

Travel Information

Air travel, car rental, lodging, Visitors Bureau.

General Information

Chris Lauber, Race Director
P.O. Box 47774
St. Petersburg, FL 33743-7774
(727) 347-4440 (voicemail)
Web site: www.FloridaHolidayHalfathon.com
E-mail: FLRoadRaces@aol.com

Additional information regarding race logistics will be posted here as it becomes available.