11TH ANNUAL KEY LARGO BRIDGE RUN BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY

Josef Serrano, of Miami, stretchs beneath Jewfish Creek Bridge before running a half marathon during the First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run Half Marathon & 4 Mile Run/Walk Saturday, November 9, 2019. Serrano said he recently moved to Florida from California. Photo by Doug Finger

Runners and walkers will get a view unlike any other as they head over the iconic Jewfish Creek Bridge during the First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run on Sunday, Nov.  14. An event that brings community members and visitors together will support organizations and causes in the Florida Keys this year. 

Hundreds of runners will walk and run over the bridge — the gateway to the Florida Keys — overlooking the Key Largo Bay.  Now in its 11th year, the run will feature a half marathon and 5K run/walk that will end at Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo. 

Organizations benefiting from the race include Teen Intervention and Prevention Services of the Florida Keys’ mission to inspire youth towards a path of nonviolence through education and athletics. The nonprofit provides prevention classes and workshops to middle and high school teens in the community.

Another beneficiary from this year’s race is Wesley House Family Services. Founded by the Methodist Church as a settlement program for Key West’s Cuban community, Wesley House promotes and enhances safety, well being and development of children by educating, supporting and meeting the needs of families. With services spanning from Key West to Key Largo, Wesley House offers foster care and child development services to case management and adoption for area children. 

This year’s bridge run also supports Key Largo School, Rotary Club of Key Largo and the Rotary Club of Key Largo Sunset.

“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 11th year, also gives back to the community and its youth,” said Henry Menendez, event organizer and president of HNO Productions. “ 

Tande Richardson and John Siracusa walk together before the start of the First State Bank Key Largo Bridge Run Half Marathon & 4 Mile Run/Walk Saturday, November 9, 2019. Photo by Doug Finger

A meet-and-greet party with appetizers and drink specials is planned for Friday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Key Largo Conch House, MM 100.2. 

Runners can pick up race packets between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at First State Bank in Key Largo, MM 97. Packets also are to be available on the morning of the race beginning at 5 a.m. at the starting line at Gilbert’s Resort access road. 

A Saturday evening Pasta Party dinner for runners to “carb up” is set for 6 to 8 p.m. at Doc’s Diner, mile marker 99 bayside. Tickets are $25 per person and are to be available for purchase in advance at keylargobridgerun.com

More information is at keylargobridgerun.com

Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.