Where: 1405 Duval Street
When: August 21, 2018
How: Interested participants can register online at active.com or download registration forms by visiting
keywesthalfmarathon.com.
Details: Ernest Hemingway’s sporting lifestyle is to inspire athletes on land and water in Key West, the island where the legendary writer lived during the 1930s. The Hemingway 5k Sunset Run/Walk and Paddleboard Race are to challenge competitors Saturday, August 21 — the 119th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth. The competitions are part of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days, a celebration of the author’s vigorous life and literary talent set for August 17-22.
On-the-water athletes can compete in the Lazy Dog Paddleboard Race beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The 3-mile ocean course is to start and end at the island city’s Southernmost Beach, 1405 Duval St. on the Atlantic Ocean.
For those who prefer land-based competition, the 5k run/walk begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Southernmost Point in the continental United States, located at Whitehead and South streets. Racers proceed through Key West’s colorful historic district and past landmarks that include the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.
Athletes in both events can celebrate their accomplishments at an awards party at the Southernmost Beach Café. Planned attractions include food, libations and raffles. Paddleboard awards await the first- through 10th-place male and female finishers. In the 5k, prizes are to be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers, masters, and finishers in age categories ranging from 9 and under to 75 and over. In addition, multisport athletes can take home special medals for competing in both challenges.
A registration booth is to be open 3-7 p.m. race day outside the Southernmost Beach Café. Race packets can be picked up there. Interested participants can register online at active.com or download registration forms by visiting keywesthalfmarathon.com. The registration fee is $45 per person for either race or $85 for both races. The fee includes a collectible race tech shirt, food, libations and giveaways.