Kids Summer Beach Runs begin again this week

Photo by Norman Schimmel

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation’s popular Kids Summer Beach Runs are returning to Siesta Public Beach and Venice Beach this week, the county has announced.

The 1-mile beach runs are offered Tuesdays at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key, and Wednesdays at the Venice Fishing Pier, 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice, through Aug. 15. The runs are presented by Sarasota County Parks and Recreation and New Balance Sarasota.

Registration at each location begins at 5:30 p.m. Each run starts promptly at 6:30 p.m., according to a county news release. Registration at Siesta Beach is at the picnic shelter near the playground, while registration at Venice Beach is at the entrance to Sharky’s on the Pier.

A one-time registration fee of $1 permits children to compete in as many beach runs as they wish.

Youngsters who complete four runs receive a free T-shirt and a 50%-off voucher for a pair of New Balance Kids shoes. The runs may be completed at either location, the county news release notes. All runners receive a ribbon and a free ice-pop each time they participate.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.