There are lots of viewing opportunity for family and friends. Most will have to be accessed by car and could be impacted by traffic (vehicular and running traffic). Please respect private property while viewing the race and cheering on the runners. Park on side streets or across the road from the running route for our runners’ safety. Do not impede vehicular traffic or block drives or intersections. All miles given for the viewing are approximate and meant on as a guide when you may catch your special runner. Download a full or half course map at http://www.sarasotamarathon.com/srq/RaceEvent/CourseMaps/tabid/58/Default.aspx
We recommend the following areas for viewing the race:
Centennial Park and the area in front of the Arts Center/Municipal Civic Center on US 41. Catch the full and half runners on their outbound and inbound legs. Full miles 4 and 22.4; Half miles 4 and 9.3
Early morning, the Southside Village area along S. Osprey Avenue is an ideal spot to cheer on the marathoners and visit Morton’s Market for an early morning nosh and coffee. Full mile 10
Bird Key Park area on John Ringling Causeway provides a viewing opportunity for the half marathon turnaround and full marathoner on their outbound and inbound legs. Note: Bird Key Park is utilized by runners and therefore not available for parking. Recommend parking on public right of way in the median. Full miles 12 and 20.4, Half Turnaround from mile 6.3 to 7.
Parking on St Armand’s Circle is available and you’ll be able to catch your runners on N. Washington Blvd, John Ringling Parkway or John Ringling Boulevard with just a little walking. Full miles 13, 16 & 19.1.
North Lido Beach along Ben Franklin Drive is an excellent area. Please stay off the dunes. Full marathoners between miles 15 and 16.
Island Park and Marina along Bayfront is an excellent venue for catching your marathoner twice without a long wait. Full miles 6.8 and 10.8
Not to miss the finish on the Ringling grounds with a beautiful view of the Art Museum and Sarasota Bay just south of the Ca d’Zan Mansion. Please be courteous and yield to all runners on the route to the finish.