Race 4 The Sea returns this weekend — albeit virtually - Palm Beach Post

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Because of ongoing pandemic concerns, this year’s Run 4 The Sea road race — the 10th annual in the popular 4-mile race’s history — will again be held virtually. 

With race proceeds benefiting Loggerhead Marinelife Center's mission to promote conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles, Run 4 The Sea has become a Father’s Day weekend tradition in South Florida. 

For the 2021 edition, race organizers are advising participants that “this year's run will be virtual and can take place at any location of your choosing. Remember to practice social distancing as it applies to your location.” 

Entry fees for the 4-mile race are $40 for adults and $20 for the kids (13 and younger) 1-mile race. Participants can complete their race anytime on either Saturday and Sunday and then upload their time via an email link they’ll receive after registering online at RunSignUp.com. 

Registrants can pick up their race packets — which include a sport-style participant shirt, custom finisher’s medal and race bib — at The Malted Barley (14121 U.S. 1, Juno Beach) between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Race organizers hope that in 2022, the event — which had more than 800 participants when it was last held in person in 2019 — will again be run normally. But until then, we’ve got a few tips to help you, your friends and loved ones make the most of your virtual race. 

How to plan your virtual race 

“Running a virtual race takes some planning because you essentially play the role of race director in addition to being a participant,” explained Lake Worth resident Sam Guagliardo.

In 2008, Guagliardo founded the Palm Beach County running Meetup group South Florida Runs. It now boasts a membership of more than 3,000. Guagliardo also has some race organizing experience, having been the founder of the Coconut 5K and being the Chair of the Sunfest TGI5k Committee. 

“Doing your own virtual race can seem a bit overwhelming at first but it can also be fun and rewarding,” Guagliardo promised. 

Among the first decisions you should make in planning your race: Will you be racing outside or on a treadmill? And if you do race outside, do you want to set up your own aid stations or will you be carrying your own fluids and nutrition with you? 

Now it’s time to figure out where and how exactly you’ll cover those 4 miles, so here are some other tips: 

1. Safety is paramount! 

Because you won’t have the typical race-day advantage of having traffic blocked off, you need to pay extra attention to cars, cyclists, fellow pedestrians, road construction and any other obstacles along your path. 

Remember, you’re not racing on this day to set a personal best or win an age-group trophy. You’re doing so to help South Florida’s irreplaceable endangered sea turtles, so let’s not take any unnecessary chances. We want you back next year doing the same thing. 

2. Choose a course that works for you. 

“Because distance is the only requirement, everything else about planning this race is up to you. You get to decide where, if at all, to add uphill, downhill or flat stretches and then plan your route’s aid stations accordingly,” said Guagliardo. 

In addition, try to figure out what’s most inspiring to you — trees and foliage...water views...a combination of both... 

“If you need ideas, check out routes others have planned in your area on apps like Strava, MapMyRun and RunGo,” recommended Guagliardo. 

Another option is to keep it simple and do a loop course, or laps on a quarter-mile track, or an out-and-back route. With the right playlist — or podcast — piping through your earbuds, the scenery won’t matter and those miles will fly by. Of course, it all depends on what you’re most comfortable with. 

3. Be flexible on when you do it. 

One of the advantages of doing a race virtually is that it can be done at your own convenience (within reason, of course — Race 4 The Sea is hoping to have all finishing times posted by the end of the weekend but inevitably some will likely be posted after that). 

So if you’re really not a morning person, schedule it for late afternoon or early evening. Likewise, if the weather proves to be inclement at the time you were planning to run, just wait it out or push it back a few hours or even a day. 

“If you wake up on race day and just aren’t feeling right for whatever reason — stress, weather, some health or digestive issue...whatever it might be — don’t try to force it,” recommended Guagliardo. “Trust that you’ll be able to make it happen another day.” 

4. Commit — in more ways than one. 

Sure, paying your entry fee is a pretty compelling reason to follow through on your commitment. But just in case you need some extra motivation, tell friends and loved ones about your plans too. Heck, you can even make them part of the experience. 

“Let someone know what you’re doing — and give them specifics about your planned race time and route,” suggested Guagliardo. “They can even cheer you on by checking in with a call or text.” 

Another reason to involve others is that it increases your safety should the need arise for others to know your whereabouts. 

5. Have fun! 

Of course, this is the most important thing to keep in mind as you run in support of Loggerhead Marinelife Center's noble mission. One way to ensure a fun conclusion: Have friends and loved ones waiting for you at the 4-mile mark with a toilet paper “finish line” for you to break. 

By entering the race and finishing, that makes you a winner — so break that toilet paper finish tape and celebrate your victory.

Run 4 The Sea 4-mile race

What: 4-mile virtual race to be completed over a route of participants' choosing and to be done during Father's Day weekend.

When: Saturday and Sunday. Participants can pick up their race packets on Friday at The Malted Barley (14121 U.S. 1, Juno Beach) between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.    

Registration: $40 for adults; $20 for 1-mile kids run (ages 13 and younger).

Contact: Visit Loggerhead Marinelife Center's website at marinelife.org/run/ to learn more and/or register online.

The Link Lonk


June 14, 2021 at 06:03PM
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Race 4 The Sea returns this weekend — albeit virtually - Palm Beach Post

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