Report by Gill Pearson

Race Date: 9^th-10^th February 2019

This is the 10th year of the Daytona Beach Half Marathon.

The 13.1 mile race again offers runners the opportunity to start on the famed tri-oval track of the Daytona International Speedway and run to the hard-packed sands of the beach, where racing got its name. New for 2019, the race will finish at ONE DAYTONA, directly across from Daytona International Speedway, where runners will celebrate with drinks, food and awards!

Last year I did the lap the track 5k race and promised myself I would do the half marathon next.

This is the first half marathon I have run and was very anxious as to whether I was up to it after several injuries over the summer and not feeling I was back to where I had been fitness and speed wise.  Luckily the weather wasn’t as hot as it had been last year and I was happy to see it was cloudy, somewhat windy with the promise of a bit of rain. There was little in the way of spectator support apart from at the start and finish, most ‘spectators’ on the route were in their cars impatiently waiting for the road to clear so they could be on their way. The worst bit was the run on ‘hard packed sand’ on the beach, it was quite soft and I had to walk a section of this, also dodging the stranded jellyfish!! The last 5 kms were a struggle but the surge of adrenaline/relief/pride got me over the finish line with a smile to be given a medal so large it made my neck hurt and a towel which I love.

Hopefully will be back for more next year.

First man was Ryan Carroll in 01:19:16 and first woman was Lea Tardanico in 01:33:18. There were 763 finishers and Gill was the only Strider, finishing 9^th in her age category. Well done!

Link to full results here.