Participants can earn T-shirts, Gecko’s meal coupons and New Balance shoe coupons
Starting Tuesday, June 2, children will be able to lace up for free, weekly 1-mile runs this summer on the sand of two Sarasota County beaches, county staff has announced.
The annual Kids’ Summer Beach Runs will return to Siesta Beach on Tuesdays and North Brohard Beach in Venice on Wednesdays through July 29, presented by the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department (PRNR), a county news release says.
Registration will open at 5:30 p.m. each event day, while the runs will begin at 6:30 p.m. at both locations, the release points out.
All participants will receive a finisher ribbon, it adds.
Youngsters who complete four runs at either location will earn a free T-shirt, a Gecko’s Grill & Pub kid’s meal coupon and a New Balance children’s shoe coupon, the release further notes.
The 2026 schedule follows:
- Tuesdays, June 2 through July 28 — Siesta Public Beach, which has the formal address of 948 Beach Road on Siesta Key. Participants will register near the playground.
- Wednesdays, June 3 through July 29 —North Brohard Beach, which is located at 1400 S. Harbor Drive in Venice. Youngsters will register near the Venice Fishing Pier.
No runs are scheduled for June 30 or July 1, the release stresses.
“This is a wonderful way for kids to stay active and build healthy habits in a fun, community setting,” said Destiny Gonzalez, events and programming supervisor for PRNR, in the release. “Last year we had an amazing turnout of more than 650 individuals, and we’re excited to bring this popular event back again this year,” Gonzalez added.
The Kids’ Summer Beach Runs are presented by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, New Balance Sarasota and New Balance University, the release points out. Additional sponsors are Chick-fil-A, the Florida Department of Health–Sarasota, Friends of Sarasota County Parks, Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Manasota Track Club, Sharky’s on the Pier, and Siesta Beach Eats.
Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com or call 311 to learn more or for updates in case of inclement weather on event days.