First things first, NEVER FORGET. This is most definitely a Patriot’s Day event – a morning of contemplation and commemoration. But also one of celebration… celebration of the indomitable American spirit and the knowledge that we live in the greatest country on this earth.
The Patriot’s Run & Paddle is a collaboration between RUN/SUP and the Rotorhead 30A Running Company. As customary with the Patriot’s Run & Paddle, there will be three distinct events offered on race morning.
PATRIOT’S CHALLENGE. The Patriot’s Challenge is a SUP-Run-SUP, consisting of a 9.11K trail run + 1.2 mile SUP. The SUP portion commences at the WaterColor pedestrian bridge adjacent the BoatHouse Paddle Club, and proceeds 0.6 miles across the eastern side of Western Lake to the 30A bridge, and then a direct paddle to "the point:" an outcropping of land onboard Grayton Beach State Park. "The Point" serves as the start/finish line for the 9.11K trail run. Paddlers will exit the water, stage their board and paddle, and then commence the 9.11K trail run. Upon completing the run, participants will grab their board and repeat the 0.6 mile SUP leg, finishing back at the WaterColor pedestrian bridge (NOTE: this is a change from the 2021 race). As evidenced by the inaugural event last year, the Patriot's Challenge lives up to its name and is just an awesome event! Please bring handheld waterbottles or hydration packs for this race. It will likely be warm! Bringing along a (WATERPROOF AND WELL-SECURED) smart phone with a map app is encouraged as well. The trail run course will be marked very well, but...some folks are a little more prone to getting lost. You know who you are :) Besides that, it's just a good idea from a safety perspective.
5K RUN. The 5K run takes place ENTIRELY on the picturesque, paved roads of WaterColor! This is indeed a change from the 2021 race. This 5K course should be "fast;" so if looking for a 5K PR course, this is indeed your race! At the same time, it will be perfect for those running with a stroller or for those walking, and anyone else looking to maximize the enjoyment of their 5K experience. Just a truly beautiful course! The 5K is a stand-alone event.
2.5K SUP RACE. The 2.5K SUP Race consists of two laps on the eastern side of Western Lake. The course commences at the WaterColor pedestrian bridge and proceeds westbound, loosely following the shore of WaterColor to a buoy placed just before the 30A bridge. Paddlers will make their way around the buoy and then proceed opposite direction to a second buoy on the northern shore of Western Lake. Paddlers will repeat for a second lap, ultimately finishing under the WaterColor pedestrian bridge. Scenery truly doesn’t get much prettier than this! Like the 5K, the 2.5K SUP race is also a stand-alone event.
COMBINED RACE. Want to do both the 5K run AND the 2.5K SUP race? The start times for each should absolutely allow you to participate in both events, if you wish. That said, beginning with the 2022 race, we're offering a fourth race category to choose from: a COMBINED race, consisting of the 5K Run + 2.5K SUP Race. The even better news is there is a discount when registering for the COMBINED event...as opposed to registering for each event individually.
NOTE: For the events that require a paddleboard, participants may bring their own recreational style board (12’ and under) OR rent a board ($20 rental) from the BoatHouse Paddle Club for use during the race. To reserve a board, please email your contact information (name, phone number and number of boards) to info@runsup.com. To reiterate, if you do bring your own board, it MUST be "recreational style" 12' and under.
Please also note that prior SUP experience is important for anyone registering for a SUP event. For safety reasons...if you've never demonstrated an ability to paddle while standing up for ~1 mile without falling, please reconsider registering for a SUP event. OR start practicing now! Run SUP has a five event summer series at their Boathouse Paddle Club location in WaterColor. Partaking in one or more of their events would be a good idea. Here's the link: https://www.runsup.com/run-sup-summer-races-2022/
PROMO CODES:
We love and appreciate our military and first responders.
ACTIVE DUTY military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO promo code and receive 50% off your registration. Any reserve or retired military or first responders, please use the HERO1 to receive 25% off your registration. NOTE: if you use any of these PROMO codes but don't rate them, then shame on you. Seriously.
If you want to run, but the registration fee will truly set you back due to current financial hardship, please give us a holler at RunRotorhead30a@gmail.com. We set three registrations aside each race for folks in such a predicament.
EARLY PACKET PICK-UP will be taking place at RUN SUP's Boathouse Paddle Club on Friday, September 9 from 2-5p. Can't make it then? No worries, check out the race day schedule below...which includes another opportunity for packet pick-up!
Schedule for race morning...
6:00-6:45: Race day registration and packet pick-up
6:45: Pre-race
7:00: Patriot's Challenge start
7:10: 5K Run start
8:10: 5K Run awards ceremony
9:00: 2.5K SUP Race start
10:00: Awards ceremony + Post-race festivities (details to follow for the post-race festivities)
Men’s and women’s winners and runner ups for the Patriot’s Challenge, 5K Trail Run, and 2.5K SUP Race will receive awards. All registered participants who cross the finish line of their respective race will also receive a very cool finisher's award. And, of course, all registered participants will be receiving the always awesome Patriot's Run & Paddle race shirt.
Professional race timing for the 2022 Patriot's Day Run & Paddle will be provided by International Running Company.
10% of the gross proceeds from registration for the Patriot’s Run & Paddle will always go to the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. This is a fantastic organization that is doing incredible things for our local military families during times of need. For more information on the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, check out their website at https://fisherhouseemeraldcoast.org/
