Old Town Key West will host runners, fitness walkers and paddleboard enthusiasts testing their skills and celebrating Ernest Hemingway’s sporting lifestyle on Saturday evening, July 23. The longest ongoing race in Key West, the Hemingway 5K Sunset Run/Walk and Paddleboard Race, presented by Papa’s Pilar Rum, was rated No. 3 in 2018 on Active.com’s list of top 10 international destination races to turn into a vacation.
The well-established athletic challenges are part of Hemingway Days, a six-day commemoration of the life and work of the author who lived and wrote in Key West for most of the 1930s.
“This is the hottest race in Key West, literally,” said organizer Barbara Wright. “It’s held on a hot summer night here, but the great thing is participants can jump into the beautiful Key West waters to cool off after the race and there are lots of cold libations to satisfy their thirst — just like Hemingway did.”
The Paddleboard Race kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Southernmost Beach, 1405 Duval St. on the Atlantic Ocean. A 3-mile ocean course will challenge paddlers before they finish back at the beach.
Then, at 7:30 p.m., the popular 5K Run/Walk begins at the Southernmost Point. Participants race through picturesque Old Town Key West, past landmarks including the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Green Parrot Bar, the Key West Lighthouse and Custom House Museum as they complete the fast, flat 3.1-mile course.
On race day, a registration booth will be open from 3-7 p.m. on South Beach outside of the Southernmost Beach Café. Race packets, bibs and shirts can be picked up there. Collectible race tech shirts feature iconic Key West images and more.
A post-race awards beach party with live music is scheduled outside in the same area and includes free food, libations and raffles.
A pub crawl is planned for noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The “Smile Mile” includes several bars offering a free adult beverage. Crawlers can sign up on RunSignUp.com and need to stop by the Smile Mile table at registration on Saturday to pick up materials.
Great prizes, including Caribbean trips, will go to the overall winners.
In addition, those competing in all challenges will receive unique finisher medals.
Those who want a triple challenge can join the annual Hemingway Bicycle Tour, which starts at 9 a.m. on race day at Sombrero Beach in Marathon. To register, visit keywesthalfmarathon.com/Hemingway-event-details/.
Runners and paddleboarders can register online at RunSignUp.com or download registration forms by visiting keywesthalfmarathon.com.
The entry fee includes a collectible race tech shirt, chip timing, custom bibs, food, finisher medals, libations and giveaways including Caribbean Resort Trips for up to four.
Proceeds benefit Key West Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Fund and the College of the Florida Keys Youth Swim Program.
For more information, contact Barb Wright at 305-240-0727 or visit keywesthalfmarathon.com.
