• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Runners sprint to finish Sandy Claws Beach Run

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation hosts 39th annual Sandy Claws 5K and fun run on Siesta Key.


  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 4:55 p.m. December 12, 2015
  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Dashing through the snowy sands of Siesta Key, runners made their way down the beach for the 39th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run. 

Race results

Overall winner and first place male: Tony Wachira

First Woman: Hannah Lemke

Participants donned Santa hats, antlers and even tinsel to take on the 5k route and one-mile fun run. After crossing the finish line they were invited to decorate holiday cookies and take photos with Santa Claus, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and Sandy Claws the crab. 

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer gets in position for the start of the one-mile fun run.
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer gets in position for the start of the one-mile fun run.
Runners at the start of the 5K course.
Runners at the start of the 5K course.
Asher Collins makes
Asher Collins makes "snowballs" with soft Siesta Key sand.
Female 5K winner Hannah Lemke
Female 5K winner Hannah Lemke
Some runners committed to their costumes like this minion who completed the run with a banana in hand.
Some runners committed to their costumes like this minion who completed the run with a banana in hand.
Overall winner Tony Wachira crosses the finish line.
Overall winner Tony Wachira crosses the finish line.
Trophies wait for participants of the 5K.
Trophies wait for participants of the 5K.
Darrell and Austin Collins before the start of the race.
Darrell and Austin Collins before the start of the race.
David and Ann Vozzolo
David and Ann Vozzolo
Pals Dora Marin, Debbie Frederick, Gudrun Morgan, Shirley Matchett and Lisa Wright.
Pals Dora Marin, Debbie Frederick, Gudrun Morgan, Shirley Matchett and Lisa Wright.
Visitors from the North Pole included Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Santa Claus, Jabari Williams as Sandy Claws with Sarasota Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn Brown.
Visitors from the North Pole included Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Santa Claus, Jabari Williams as Sandy Claws with Sarasota Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn Brown.

 

Latest News

Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
  • February 14, 2026
Bulk garbage pickups likely to return for Manatee County residents
Longboat Key Democratic Club President Lucie Lapovsky (right) updates the 160 attendees on new initiatives the Club is starting soon at a luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 10.
  • February 14, 2026
Longboat Key Democratic Club to launch newsletter, raise funds for flippable races
The property at 1500 Stickney Point Road includes 21 parcels.
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota County to buy prominent Stickney Point property for $21M project
Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota will offer views of Sarasota Bay and beyond from its Five Points location.
  • February 12, 2026
Developer introduces luxury-branded downtown condo tower

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Steven Mark plays the drums.
  • January 14, 2026
Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive
Cynthia Jordan poses by the "No. 1 Beach in the USA" sign.
  • January 8, 2026
Parrish resident writes musical about a spiritual awakening on Siesta Key

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now