Runners and walkers will capture a view unlike any other as they walk and run over the Jewfish Creek Bridge — the Florida Keys’ gateway — during the 12th annual First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run on Saturday, Nov. 12. A race that brings community members and visitors together will also support various causes in the Florida Keys this year.
One organization benefiting from the race is Teen Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS). Its mission is to inspire youth toward a path of nonviolence through education and athletics. The nonprofit provides prevention classes and workshops for middle and high school teens in the community.
The TIPS committee brings speakers into schools to present anti-bullying and anti-violence material to students, and aims to support at-risk youth with opportunities to attend camps and organizations to promote leadership through community involvement.
TIPS is composed of local community members who have a vested interest in seeing young people have exposure to new experiences, positive relationships and the knowledge to make healthy decisions.
Another beneficiary of this year’s race is Key Largo School. Located at MM 105, the school for kids in head start to fifth grade prepares and nurtures them in various ways while providing a challenging yet positive environment. The KLS administration and faculty promote curiosity and lifelong learning to emphasize the values of honor, citizenship and respect for individual differences.
“This beautiful race is a true community event as runners will come to the finish line at Gilbert’s Resort where they’ll be met by family and friends. But this event, now in its 12th year, also gives back to the community and its youth,” said Henry Menendez, event organizer and president of HNO Productions.
The 5K run and walk will start and end at the access road leading to Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo. Before the race begins, registrants are invited to a happy hour pre-party at The Catch in Key Largo on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Following the event, racers are encouraged to attend Mote’s Ocean Fest at Founders Park in Islamorada. The festival, which showcases coral restoration and provides activities for young learners and adults, begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. In the evening, racers are invited to an evening party, “Britt’s Gardenia Wonderland,” at Gardenia’s Bistro in Islamorada from 7 to 11 p.m. Put on by Go With the Ocean Flow and Gardenia’s Bistro, it will include artwork, live paintings, a DJ and dancing, poke bowls, drinks and glow-in-the-dark painting.
More information is at keylargobridgerun.com.
