https://destinmarathon.itsyourrace.com/register/default.aspx
Then you can setup your Navy SEAL Foundation fundraising page here (more on this next blog):
https://www.crowdrise.com/destinmarathon
A big thank you to Runner's World for the great article on our campaign. It's not very often that a race reaches millions of readers before it even happens! And I got to learn a lot about the intense fact checking that goes into an article in a major publication. Until this experience I thought my military security clearance was in-depth background checking.
-$67,286 worth of perks claimed
-648 individuals claimed perks
-624 race entries claimed
-308 half marathon entries claimed
-316 half or full marathon entries claimed
-128,090 campaign views
-30 states represented with entries (FL-340, AL-70, GA-39, TX-21, TN-16)
-4 countries represented with entries (USA, South Africa, Germany, United Kingdom)
-45 Florida cities represented with entries (Ft Walton Beach- 59, Niceville- 51, Destin- 49, Crestview-37, Santa Rosa- 21)
-290 (46%) of the entries are from areas within a 50 mile radius (including Panama City & Pensacola)
It doesn't take a math major to figure out we are talking about an extremely serious investment. It is an investment that will last the lifetime of this race, hopefully several decades, but it is not something that you want to invest in if you are not positive there will be a race. We consulted with runners, race directors in many cities and the traffic engineers to come up with a route that would have the least impact on our area's traffic while still giving the runners a great point to point route. Would an out and back be cheaper? Yes, but we are trying to view everything as runners and the runners want to see something new every mile.
All Areas
-Weekend of 17 April is lowest tourist traffic weekend between start of Spring Break and the end of summer
-Sunday morning is traditionally the lowest traffic time during the week
-We will employ a comprehensive media plan to educate residents on road closures and possible delays in weeks prior to race
-We aim to provide the best running experience possible for our guests
Ft Walton Beach
-Early morning start clears FWB of most runners by mid-morning
-Major closures are very early on a Sunday morning
-We keep Hwy 98 open to two way traffic at all time
Okaloosa Island
-Give running guests best views of bay and coastal dunes
-Close only the eastbound lane of 98
-Put two-way traffic on westbound side of 98
-Stage half-marathon start on south side of 98
-Open closed roads as soon as possible after last runner passes
Destin
-Highlight Destin landmarks and beaches to our running guests
-Maintain routes for traffic flow N/S on Mid-Bay Bridge
-Maintain two-way E/W traffic on Hwy 98, Commons/Airport/Mountain Rds
-The race will never cross (close) Hwy 98
Detailed planning, resident notification, and multi-department cooperation will aim to keep delays and disruptions to less than those experienced during summer tourist traffic in our area (like today).
I try not to go into too much detail here, so there is a lot missing from these blogs. But I hope that they at least give you an idea of what is happening behind the scenes for hundreds of races every week. Have a great 4th of July weekend! -Zane