Glorious winter weather makes half marathon a breeze

When my West Coast friends said they were coming to Florida to compete in a half marathon, I figured I’d see them before or after, rather than join them. Although I run four times a week, I never go that far. Plus I’d rather kayak, fish, bird watch, hike or powerboat if I’m going to do something outside for more than an hour.

But I changed my mind when they said the race route was a winding course along downtown St. Petersburg’s yacht basin, famous pier and picturesque bayfront neighborhoods. At least I could bird watch and boat watch as we went, and they promised they were going to walk it anyway.

The waterfront watching ended up taking a backseat to people watching and adoration of Florida’s glorious winterish weather.

Even if you’re an outdoorsy type who eschews crowds, you could consider trying an organized running event during our dry months — either around the state or here at home with the Gulf Coast Runners of Naples or the Fort Myers Track Club.

The womens’ half marathon in St. Petersburg. BETSY CLAYTON / FLORIDA WEEKLY I’m so glad I did. A flannel-gray sky greeted friends Judy McConnell, Deb Hiatt and me the morning of the race, which was a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We’d driven to St. Pete the night before to pick up registration packets; the Ponce De Leon Boutique Hotel where we stayed was only a three-block walk to the starting line.

After mere seconds out the door onto Central Avenue, we were joined by hundreds of other participants. Later I’d find out that this inaugural race sponsored by Women’s Running magazine would draw 5,000 from across North America. Most of them were talking about the weather — how glorious it felt compared to the frigid North or rainy West.

The crowd’s enthusiasm seemed to be reflected in the color of choice the racers — who appeared to be 99 percent women. Pink. Lots of pink. (Did I mention registered racers got a free pair of pink Crocs and a running shirt with pink text?)

I’ve never seen so much pink at a sporting event, not even the state-sponsored Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing seminars I’ve attended. And that group even sends out its press releases in pink.

Nor had I seen so many women of varied shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities all so excited and supportive of their “sisters,” be they strangers or friends.

As the sky to the east blazed orange, the crowd pressed together in the chute. It was so crowded, when I asked another racer to photograph my friends and me, she could hardly get distance between the lens and us to make the picture work.

At this point, I was getting skeptical. If I’m going to walk some 13 miles, I’d rather do it in British Columbia on a remote hiking trail with my hubby than with thousands of people on the flatlands, I thought.

But once the starting sound blared and the crowd spread out, the situation improved. Plus the weather was fabulous. No cold fingers or toes like you’d expect in wintertime. No sweaty humidity like we get here in summertime. Just perfect loveliness for a long walk.

In fact, when the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society first announced their partnership with Women’s Running and the city of St. Petersburg for the Nov. 22 event, organizers didn’t just tout the flat, fast course, the scenery and the fact that it was to be the city’s first women-only half marathon. They touted the time of year.

A winning combination.

Three hours and 13 minutes later at the start-turned-finish line, I still thought that. So it prompted me to go online to Southwest Florida and other running Web sites to check on future wintertime races.

I’m not signed up for anything yet — a hiking trail remains equally appealing to this outdoors chick. But I certainly have come to appreciate a new way to enjoy Florida’s winter sunshine. 

— Betsy Clayton is a freelancer based on Pine Island and also is Lee County Parks & Recreation’s waterways coordinator. Contact her at boatingbybetsy@yahoo.com.

If you go

>>What: Florida road races >>How: Fort Myers Track Club:

www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

Gulf Coast Runners, Naples: www.gcrunner.org

Florida Gulf Beaches Road Races: www.FloridaRoadRaces.com