Events
Half Marathon
10 spots left. Price increases after October 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://fivestarntp.com/.
Place
We set up on the Southwest side of the lake where the finish/Lap point is located.
Description
Have you been dreaming of running Boston? Need to shave a few minutes off your time to qualify? Looking for the perfect course to set a PR? Regardless, if you want to run Boston or not, THIS is the event for you!
We're racing around The Meadows in Sarasota, FL, and the course is a 1-mile super flat & super fast loop! Both the Full Marathon & Half Marathon are USATF certified. The Full Marathon is a Boston Qualifier.
By design, this event will have a small field, ensuring everyone has a clear path, and personal attention.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Charity
Bound for Boston - Sarasota is currently in search of a charity/beneficiary. Contact Meredith for more information.
Sponsors
I'm Bound for Boston - Sarasota is currently accepting sponsors. For more information, contact Meredith.
Our Bound for Boston events offer a distinctive experience for both spectators and sponsors alike. The carefully designed 1-mile loop course provides a unique advantage, allowing athletes to pass by key locations multiple times, maximizing visibility and engagement.
This event is designed to be small, or a “boutique event,” by design. With a one-mile loop, it is hard to fit 500 or more people on the course. With the smaller athlete number, it allows our staff and volunteers to focus on the athletes individually as they run.
We understand that every sponsor has specific needs and goals. Therefore, we offer customized sponsorship packages that can be tailored to meet your individual requirements.
Partner Level Pricing--Current year's rates are based on last year's participation counts. Each race is priced individually.
Contact Meredith@fivestarntp.com for pricing or more information.
For Partner Level and other Sponsor descriptions, visit Five Star NTP.
Packet pick up
Early Packet Pickup is Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 from 3 - 6 pm at Fit2Run UTC - 140 UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER DR SPACE 110, SARASOTA, FL 34243
It is highly recommended for athletes to come to early packet pick up because we cannot access the racecourse until 6 AM.
Volunteer
Volunteers at the race may earn a $50 Visa gift card.
A Volunteer must sign up on the Volunteer Registration page. The Volunteer must show up to work the entire race and Volunteer must recruit 5 people to work this race also. Those five must also sign up on the Volunteer Registration page, put your name as "Recruited By" and show up to work entire race. All volunteers must be at least 13 years or older.
Contact Meredith for more details.
Entry Fees & Registration
Event Cap is a total of 175 participants. In an effort to give the Marathoners the best shot at obtaining a spot, Half Marathon registration will open on October 3rd.
Preview Registration (ends 3/12)
- Full: $85
Early Registration (ends 4/30)
- Full: $85
Regular Registration (ends 10/31)
- Full: $95
- Half: $65 (opens 10/3)
Late Registration (Ends 12/7)
- Full: $115
- Half: $75
Race Day Registration (available if event cap has not been met)
- Full: $120
- Half: $85
Virtual Option
- Half: $45
- Full: $45
Virtual Race You can't qualify for Boston by doing a Virtual Race, but you can get some awesome swag! Register by November 28th to guarantee shirt & size.
You'll submit your time by end of day on December 3rd, and we'll post your results for the Virtual Race. Shirts and medals are all mailed first thing after the weekend.
Virtual Running - How it works & Link for Time Submission
New to Virtual Running? Here's how it works:
Step 1
Get excited, grab some friends and buddies to join you! Sign up and register for the virtual Boston Bound Marathon or Half!
Step 2
Hydrate, grab your buddy (or not) and get ready to get moving! Download your downloadable custom bib below!
Step 3
Get out there and run or walk! You can run at the park, your favorite route in your neighborhood; anywhere you want. Please remember to be safe!
Step 4
HAVE FUN!~
Share your distance, a selfie, or a picture along your race route and use the hashtag #Bostonbound2024
Step 5
You can submit your race time HERE on the Virtual Results page anytime until end of race day.
Step 6
View your Virtual Results HERE Monday after the Event Date.
Wave Start Times
In order to keep the race course thin, providing everyone with plenty of time to finish, and to allow participants to get an early start; we will have three start times available.
The official start time for the event will be 6:30 AM, with additional waves at 6:00 AM & 5:30 AM.
Because of the extended time for traffic control, there will be a $5.00 fee for each additional 30 minutes you register for before the official start at 6:30 AM.
The earlier waves will also be limited in size to 50 participants each.
Awards & Goodies
Register by November 28th to guarantee your shirt & size!
All participants will receive a custom Finisher Medal!
The primary goal of this event is for everyone to GO FAST, but we'll have some great awards for everyone. Each race will have awards in the following categories:
- Top 3 Overall M/F
- Top 3 Master M/F
- Top 3 Overall Grand Master (50+)
- Top 3 Overall Sr. Grand Master (60+)
- Top 3 in all Age Groups (M/F)19 & Under through 80+
Boston Qualifying
Both the marathon and half marathon course are USATF certified, which means the Marathon will be a Boston Qualifier.
Here's a link to the Boston Standards https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/enter/qualify
Aid Stations
Make sure you have plenty of hydration to keep you going on your run! We will have water, a gatorade-type drink & bananas.
2 stations along the course (every 1/2 mile)
- 1 station with cups of water along with bananas.
- 1 station with your (Bring Your Own) personal aid (drinks & gel) Please make sure you drop your personal aid off in enough time before the Race Start! We'll have volunteers to hand off your items. Aid Station tables will be set up according to bib numbers.
Course & Timing Details
Course
1 mile FLAT & FAST loop
Both the Half & Full are USATF certified...so the Full will be a Boston Qualifier
Sarasota Boston Bound Course Map
Yes...It's a 1 mile loop.
NO...We've never had any one say it was tedious, we have had hundreds of people say it was loads of fun.
Timing:
- Chip timed Start & Finish
- Chip timed split every mile
- Mile splits are displayed on timing clocks as you pass by the mile point...helping you keep on pace.
Entertainment
- We realize that it might get a little repetitive running a 1 mile loop...so we'll have music & entertainment along the course to keep you going and motivated!
Course Cut Off
- Because of the nature of the event, the course will close at 10:30 am (4 hour race time).
Notes when running:
1. Run the tangents...that means always run the shortest possible route.
2. If you want to walk or run slower, no problem...we just need you to run on the right so the faster participants can get through on the shortest path.
3. Remember...it's a one mile loop, with the .1 or .2 going from the lap count to the finish.
Event Schedule
November 28th: Last Day to Guarantee shirt & Size
December 8th: Event Day!
- 6:00 AM - Race Day Check in Opens
- 6:30 AM - Races Start
- 11:30 AM - Course Closes
Five Star Turkey Trot
All participants will automatically qualify for 1 FREE entry into one of the 2024 Five Star Turkey Trots. See event website for details.
Top finishers will also qualify for entry into the Five Star 5K/10K Championships to be held January, 2025.
Refunds, Transfers, & Deferments
Our events are designed to be fun for the entire family. With that in mind; any competitor, spectator, parent, volunteer, or sponsor, exhibiting unsportsmanlike
conduct or interfering with the positive, competitive atmosphere of the event will be asked to leave the venue and course immediately with no refunds.
All registrations are final. There are no refunds, deferments, or transfers.
Event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather, we will cancel for the safety of the participants...there are no refunds in this case.
Participants that do not show up to race/event forfeit their right to any swag.
No COVID-19 Refunds. If unforeseen circumstances arise due to COVID-19, including any Federal or State Health Emergency, refunds will not be provided. The event will go 100% Virtual & shirts will be shipped to participants.
Ready, Set, Go!
Directions
Nathan Benderson Park
We set up on the Southwest side of the lake where the finish/Lap point is located.