Hemingway 5k Sunset Run/Walk and Paddleboard Race to Draw Athletes to Key West
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Racers can compete on foot or on paddleboards during two Key West challenges that commemorate Ernest Hemingway's exuberant outdoor lifestyle and passion for sporting pursuits.
Set for Saturday, July 22, the 25th annual Hemingway 5k Sunset Run/Walk and the Lazy Dog Paddleboard Race are part of Key West's annual Hemingway Days celebration. The July 18-23 festival salutes the life and work of the author who lived and wrote on the island in the 1930s.
"The Hemingway 5k is the longest ongoing race in Key West, and it's named by Active.com as one of the top 10 international destination races to turn into a vacation," said event organizer Barbara Wright.
The Lazy Dog Paddleboard Race is to kick off at 6 p.m. at the island city's Southernmost Beach, 1405 Duval St. on the Atlantic Ocean. The 3-mile ocean course begins and ends at the beach.
The 5k run/walk is to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Southernmost Point in the continental United States, located beside the Atlantic at Whitehead and South streets. Participants travel a fast, flat 3.1-mile course through historic Old Town past landmarks including the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.
A post-race awards party is scheduled on the beach beside the Southernmost Beach Café with food, libations and raffles.
Awards in the 5k await the top three male and female overall finishers, top three male and female masters and top three male and female finishers in age categories ranging from 9 and under to 75 and over. For paddleboard racers, awards are to be presented to the first- through 10th-place male and female finishers.
All competitors in both races can expect finisher medals.
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.
Before that date, athletes can register online at active.com or download registration forms from keywestspecialevents.com.
The entry fee is $45 per person for either race or $85 per person for both. Fees include a collectible race tech shirt, food, libations and giveaways.
Race information: keywestspecialevents.com or 305-240-0727
Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
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The 5k run/walk is to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Southernmost Point in the continental United States, located beside the Atlantic at Whitehead and South streets.
The Lazy Dog Paddleboard Race follows a 3-mile ocean course that begins and ends at the Southernmost beach.
The 5k attracts age categories ranging from 9 and under to 75 and over. All finishers receive medals.