Sandy Claws Beach Run to be reprised on Dec. 10 on Siesta Key

Along with the athletic competitions, the event will feature a party with costume prizes

Photo courtesy Sarasota County
Photo courtesy Sarasota County

The Sandy Claws Beach Run — an event Sarasota County staff calls “wildly popular” — will mark its 40th year on Siesta Key on Saturday, Dec. 10, the county has announced.

The event “draws hundreds of runners, joggers and walkers” to the hard-packed sand of Siesta Beach, “with many participants wearing fun holiday costumes,” a county news release notes. A 5K race is available for the serious-minded competitors, while a 1-mile fun run is offered for those who want to take a casual approach to this family-friendly event, the release adds.

The early registration deadline with a reduced rate is Nov. 27, the release points out. Participants may continue to register —online or by filling out a form available at various county locations — by Dec. 4, the release notes. Registration also will be available the day of the event.

Early registration guarantees a participant will receive a long-sleeve event shirt and a goody bag, the release says. Race-day registrants receive event shirts while supplies last.

Participants also will be able to try kinesiology taping, which will be offered prior to the event, the release continues. Furthermore, entrants and family members may enjoy a post-race party featuring music, a holiday-themed costume contest, raffle prizes, a holiday photo opportunity, food and a beverage, and massage, the release points out.

A $150 cash prize will be presented for best group costume, with additional prizes provided for various categories, the release adds.

The 5K race is sanctioned by the Manasota Track Club and is part of its 2016 runner series, the release notes. Proceeds benefit the Summer in the Park Adopt-A-Camper scholarship fund, the release adds.

The event will be chip-timed using the BibTag timing system. Each 5K finisher will receive a custom medal, while 1-mile finishers will receive ribbons, the release says. Custom trophies will be awarded to the top male and female runners overall and to the people winning the master, grandmaster, senior grandmaster and veteran runner divisions. Age group winners taking first through third place will receive custom trophies, as well, the release points out, and those finishing in fourth through sixth place will receive custom ribbons.

For online registration or a full schedule of events, visit www.scgov.net/parks or www.active.com. Participants also may complete and return a flyer/registration form available at any county recreation center, library or government building, the release adds. Early packet pick-up will be provided at the New Balance Sarasota store, located at 1872 Stickney Point Road, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Siesta Beach is located at 948 Beach Road, Sarasota. Race-day registration will start at 7 a.m., the release adds. The 1-mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m., and the 5K run is set to start at 8:20 a.m.

For additional information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 861-5000.