What a show-off ‘Sandals Medal’ I received running The 7th Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon! A heavy 4-inch custom-designed memento awarded for running a marathon in the ‘Venice of America’ some 23 kilometers north of Miami- the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Indeed, befitting of the marathon event’s bold tagline as ‘The Ultimate South Florida Running Experience’.
The road to Fort Lauderdale was long and arduous – it had to pass through Nagoya, Detroit, and Miami. By the time I reached my hotel Friday evening before race Sunday, thanks to the Tri-Rail commuter rail system that links the key cities in southern Florida – Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach- more than a full day had elapsed and I was just about ready for bed.
The visit to the race expo in order to collect my race packet would have to wait till the morrow. I had earlier signed up for the race online and, as a Marathon Maniac, had secured a more-than-the-usual $35 discount on my race registration. The next morning, I was one of the first to line up at race packet collection booth within the marathon expo site - The Galleria - a kilometer or so from my hotel.
The event’s principal sponsor, ConAgra Foods, made sure runners had some goodies in our swag bags. But for those who needed to pile up supplies, there were plenty to choose from at the different exhibit booths. I couldn’t myself resist and obliged with a new blue and black Brooks Pureflow and a Team Fort Lauderdale tech shirt. Against conventional wisdom, I would use them the following day.
One feature of most marathon expos I’ve been to in the US is the seemingly endless supply of runner-friendly food- from protein bars to complete lean and healthy meals- and drinks- from electrolyte concoctions to, yes, ice-cold light beer . It is rather common for runners to pick a favorite booth and do a double-take, sometimes for reasons not necessarily related to what is served.
Race morning Sunday was forecasted to be hot and humid. The ceremonies kicked at 0535 with the singing of America the Beautiful and a beautiful saxophone rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. At 0545, the wheelchair athletes took to the roads and at 0600, with the city streets still encased in darkness, both full and half marathon runners started together their run on Las Olas Boulevard.Just as dawn was breaking, runners hit the city’s Atlantic coast-hugging beachfront, seagulls, sand and all, no doubt the race event’s highlight. Fort Lauderdale’s world famous and breath-taking beachfront spans more than seven miles and is highlighted by a landmark promenade. The city’s beaches, that host year-round sporting events, draw some 10 million beach-loving tourists to the city yearly.
The marathon race route started at the Museum of Discovery and Science on SW 2nd Street. It then took runners to the Florida State Road A1A that runs along the Atlantic Ocean and from where the marathon’s name is derived, through Birch State Park, back to AIA, to El Mar Drive, and on to Pompano Beach Boulevard, before returning back to A1A and eventually finishing at the South Beach Park.
Along the 26.2 mile marathon stretch were spaced four different bands that provided some needed music for those wanting to spice things up or simply needing a musical fix to be able to kick some more sand. With the palm trees swaying softly by the breeze and the vibrant blue Atlantic waters as backdrop, it was easy for runners to forget they were in fact running a real marathon.
For race support logistics, the organizers left no stone unturned. There were at least 14 hydration stations and at least 6 aid stations staffed by volunteers that were spaced strategically along the course. State highway patrol and city police force ensured security and kept the lanes of the otherwise busy A1A highly vehicle-free. Marshals directed the runners at intersections or cheered as they passed by.
And the cheers from tourists combing the beachfront or otherwise leisurely exploring the restaurants, coffee shops, and other entertainment joints that dotted the promenade perked up the runners some more. The placard and chant from this Lululemon spirit squad member said it all- only runners got balls, all other sports just play with them! At that point halfway through the race, I couldn’t have agreed more.
And this being Florida, home to 212 Marathon Maniacs and the fourth-ranked state in terms of number of club members following Washington, California, Texas, and Illinois, lots of hard-to-miss bright yellow singlets adorned the course. I managed to pose with Michael and Kelly from Kansas who renewed their wedding vows at mile 25 in time for their 25th anniversary! What can be sweeter?
Two years before, this same A1A marathon was the top honors for having the best medal in North America. Definitely a shoo-in winner this year I would say. But aside from runners, there were other sure winners, notably Feeding America. Also dubbed a ‘Race to End Child Hunger’, race proceeds would help provide food for children struggling with hunger and raise awareness of this social problem.
When all was said and done, as I often do on a first visit to a beachfront, I stepped on the sand, went to the water’s edge, played ‘catch if you can’ with the waves, and touched, ever so lightly, the sparkling ocean waters. In previous travels, I have touched the same body of water at several points on the other side of the Atlantic. The time had come to connect the dots and draw full circles.
A memorable end to an Ultimate South Florida Running Experience, Fort Lauderdale!
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