Patriot’s Run & Paddle
First things first, MAY WE NEVER FORGET. This is most definitely a Patriot’s Day event – a morning of contemplation and commemoration. But also one of celebration…celebration of the indomitable American spirit and the knowledge that we live in the greatest country on this earth.
The Patriot’s Run & Paddle is another event unique to the SoWal area! Started in 2020, it was actually the first area event permitted during the COVID era. Many improvements have been made since that first race. Beginning with the 2022 Patriot’s Run & Paddle, there will be three distinct events---with four distinct awards categories---offered on race morning.
PATRIOT’S CHALLENGE. The Patriot’s Challenge is a SUP-Run-SUP, consisting of a (total) 1.2 mile SUP race + a 9.11K trail run. The SUP portion commences at WaterColor pedestrian bridge adjacent the Boathouse Paddle Club and proceeds across the easter portion of Western Lake to a buoy adjacent the CR-30A bridge, and then on to the Grayton Beach State Park trailhead. Paddlers will exit the water, stage their board and paddle, and then commence the 9.11K trail run. Upon completing the run, participants will grab their board and then repeat the SUP course (via the buoy adjacent the CR-30A bridge), ultimately finishing back at the WaterColor pedestrian bridge. This is truly a fantastic event. But it is also true that this event is NOT for the untrained! Please take inventory of both your endurance level AND comfort/skill level on a paddleboard before signing up. A high-level of both are required to safely participate in this event.
5K RUN. The 5K run takes place entirely on the beautiful and picturesque streets of WaterColor. This out-and-back course is fast! And because the course route is entirely on paved roads, it's also stroller-friendly for those who want to take their time and enjoy the tranquility of the world-famous WaterColor community.
2.5K SUP RACE. The 2.5K SUP Race consists of two laps on the eastern side of Western Lake. The course commences at the WaterColor pedestrian bridge and proceeds westbound, loosely following the shore of WaterColor to a buoy placed just before the 30A bridge. Paddlers will make their way around the buoy and then proceed opposite direction to a second buoy on the northern shore of Western Lake. Paddlers will repeat for a second lap, ultimately finishing under the WaterColor pedestrian bridge. Scenery truly doesn’t get much prettier than this! Like the 5K, the 2.5K SUP race is also a stand-alone event.
COMBINED RACE. Want to do both the 5K run AND the 2.5K SUP race? The start times for each should absolutely allow you to participate in both events, if you wish. That said, beginning with the 2022 race, we're offering a fourth race category to choose from: a COMBINED race, consisting of the 5K Run + 2.5K SUP Race. The even better news is there is a discount when registering for the COMBINED event...as opposed to registering for each event individually.So lots of options...rest assured, whichever you go with, it’s all but guaranteed to be memorable!
Men’s and women’s winners and runner ups for the Patriot’s Challenge, 5K Run, 2.5K SUP Race, and Combined Race will receive awards. All registered participants who cross the finish line of their respective race will also receive a finisher's award. And, of course, all registered participants will be receiving very cool official Patriot Run and Paddle swag!
Discounts. ACTIVE-DUTY military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO1 promo code to receive 25% off your registration. RETIRED military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO promo code to receive 15% off your registration. All of the local-area middle school + high track and cross-country team runners can get 10% off by using the SCHOOL promo code. Area running clubs should have their own code (provided to them by us) for 10% off. If you've forgotten what it is, please hit us up. Also, if you want to run but the registration fee will truly set you back financially, please know that a few registrations have been set aside for such situations. Please contact us at RunRotorhead30a@gmail.com and we'll get you taken care of.
The Patriot's Run & Paddle is a collaborative effort with our good friends at RUN SUP. Be sure to check them out at: https://www.runsup.com/
A portion of the proceeds from registration for the Patriot’s Run & Paddle will always go to the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. This is a fantastic organization that is doing incredible things for our local military families during times of need. For more information on the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, check out their website at https://fisherhouseemeraldcoast.org
