First Watch Half Marathon changes course

A sold-out crowd of runners reported to the starting line at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Sunday morning for the First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon. 

The 11th annual race returned to Sarasota but this year with some changes to the route and race. This year marked the start of a partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the first year organizers hope to collect $50,000 with the goal for 2017 increasing to $100,000. This year 100 spots were opened up for participants after the race was sold out with the proceeds benefiting the new partnership. 

Another addition to the race included changes to the second half of the route. Previously the course took runners over south on over the John Ringling Bridge with a loop around St. Armands Circle back toward the bridge before proceeding north on Tamiami Trial. The route this year then took participants north on Tamiami Trail before weaving into the Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores neighborhoods on Bay Shore Road then turning around at the  John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Runners then made the return to the finish line at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 

The overall winner for the race was Jonathan Mott with a time of 1:15:54. Participant Jacki Wachtel placed first for the females with a time of 1:23:51.