BEST OF MARATHON BRINGS GRINS & WINS FOR ALL AT HAWKS CAY

By
Alex Rickert
-
a group of people sitting at tables in a room
Former Marathon Mayor and current FKAA board member Luis Gonzalez celebrates one of his table’s many wins for the evening.

It’s our favorite night of the year for a reason.

The return of the Best of Marathon Awards on Sept. 20 brought more than 300 guests representing the very best of the Middle Keys Community – from businesses to medical professionals, actors to contractors. Graciously hosted once again at the picturesque Hawks Cay Resort, dozens of award winners took their turns in the limelight between good-natured ribbing of dignitaries and elected officials, comedic takes on “totally real” 1-star Google reviews of local businesses, and even a refreshed style of “law enforcement” in the Keys. And as always, it’s all for a good cause, netting thousands each year for the Rotary Club of Marathon’s mission of “Service Above Self.” See the complete winners list here!

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  • a table set up for a formal dinner
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  • two men shaking hands in front of an american flag
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  • a man standing at a podium with a cell phone in his hand
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  • a man standing at a podium with his arms wide open
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  • a man and woman kissing each other at a table
  • a man and a woman talking to a man on a red carpet
  • a man holding a woman up in the air

Photos by NATALIE DANKO/Keys Weekly

a group of men standing next to each other on a red carpet
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing in front of a banner
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
two men and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman in a white dress holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing in front of a wall holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of women standing next to each other on a red carpet
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture with a paddle
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
two women standing next to each other holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
three women standing next to each other on a red carpet
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing in front of a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a couple of women standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing on a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing in front of a wall holding a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing on a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing on a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman in a red dress holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
two women and a man posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
three men and a woman standing in front of a banner
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing on a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing on a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man in a blue shirt holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing in front of a wall holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of women standing next to each other on a red carpet
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a couple of women standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and two women standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
three women posing for a picture in front of a banner
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing in front of a wall holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman in a black dress holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man in a suit and tie holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a couple of women standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
two men and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing on a red carpet holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing in front of a banner holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing next to a woman holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other on a red carpet
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman holding up a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man holding a woman on his back in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing in front of a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing next to a woman holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
three women standing in front of a banner
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing in front of a wall holding a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man standing next to a woman in a blue dress
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a couple of men standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a woman standing in front of a banner holding a sign
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of women standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and a woman posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people posing for a picture
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a group of people standing next to each other
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
two women standing next to each other on a red carpet
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
a man and woman posing for a picture with a plaque
The Best of Marathon 2025 from Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key, Saturday, September 20, 2025. Photo by Doug Finger
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.

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