The weather outside was much more delightful than frightful as residents of Sarasota and beyond turned out for the 48th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run on Dec. 14.
That meant it wasn't too hot for participants in the fun run and walk, or the 5K, to deck themselves in festive attire like Santa coats, elf outfits and more for the staple running event of the holiday season.
Participants also enjoyed the chance to switch things up with a sandy environment.
Trenton Johnson, 20, of Bradenton, randomly decided to sign up for the race with his girlfriend Isabella Cumberland, coming in fourth for his age group.
"The race was pretty fun," he said. "Running on the sand, that's a bit different than running on the road, but it's nice to change it up. I live in West Bradenton, so bit of a drive, but it was worth the drive."
Finn Shkor, 12, said the fun run was "somewhat hard," but nonetheless managed to reach first place.
"All I did was just get off to a fast pace in the start, and then kept pacing myself until I got to the end," he said.
Jim Grimes poses as Floody the Frog with Allison Murphy, Doug Clark and Clarence Lindell of Fort Myers.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Chris Munton, Jaxon Munton, 9 and Marissa Munton
Photo by Ian Swaby
Joe and Lindsay Tami
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bill Dundas, his wife Jana Nordquist, Mark Nordquist and Claudia Cardillo take a photo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Greg Steinberg and Mitch Andress observer the action.
Photo by Ian Swaby
9-month-old Parker Monde, his mother Halie Monde and his grandmother Shelia Roberson.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Finn Shkor, 12, approaches the finish line.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Hermenia Sariol finishes the race.
Photo by Ian Swaby
P. Gomez, 12, K. Masse, 12, Ryan Masse, 14 and J. Masse, 10 await the start of the 5K, as Ryan Masse grooves to the holiday music.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The 5K begins.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarah Bordeaux, Katelyn Trigg and Stephen Vuckson
Photo by Ian Swaby
Amy Wade and Cielo Toledo
Photo by Ian Swaby
Graham Sencabaugh and Rigel Sencabaugh, 1, meet Floody the Frog (Jim Grimes.)
Photo by Ian Swaby
Floody the Frog (Jim Grimes) meets Evelyn Holwerda, 1.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Declan Fiorucci makes first place.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Trenton Johnson, 20 Olivia Hummel, 26, the first overall female to finish the race, approach the finish line.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jack Skuba, 2, races with his grandmother Cathi Skuba.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Greg and Katy Corban
Photo by Ian Swaby
Dermatology of Coastal Sarasota, an event sponsor, was represented by Grace Menke, Dr. Heidi Anderson, Tricia Avery, Gwen DeBergalis, Gabriella LeClair, Monika Holder and Karen Hauff.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The Sandy Claws Beach Run was held Dec. 14.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Cary Cavallaro and his son Luke Cavallaro, 6, watch the race.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
