The Everglades Half Marathon & 5K is a pleasant and mostly flat course (you’d be hard pressed to find a hilly course in south Florida). This course runs primarily on dirt roads with some sections on pavement. As you run, you’ll be surrounded by the flora and fauna of the …
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The Everglades Half Marathon & 5K is a pleasant and mostly flat course (you’d be hard pressed to find a hilly course in south Florida). This course runs primarily on dirt roads with some sections on pavement. As you run, you’ll be surrounded by the flora and fauna of the Everglades with narrow canals paralleling the dirt roads. Top it all off with a scenic finish at the beautiful Schnebly Winery!
Run with Vacation Races at the gateway to the Everglades. They’ve been here before, but offering a new course in 2022 for another chance to explore this beautiful, wildlife-rich area.
Everglades Half Marathon is definitely one for the books. The stunning natural surroundings, the gardens and grounds make Schnebly Redland’s Winery the perfect place to start and finish this amazing race.
The race will start by heading north along a paved road for about 1.5 miles. The course will then take a left heading west on a dirt road, just north of the Airport. Around mile 2.5 you will come to the first Aid Station where runners will take another left heading South. This section of the course runs along a Canal that borders Everglades National Park. This canal will provide a good opportunity to see some alligators along the course. The majority of the course will also be run on flat dirt roads.
Around mile 4.25 the course will turn right heading west again. This section of the course will cross over some diversion gates for the canals. You will come to the next Aid Station at mile 5. The course will then head south again with a beautiful waterway and the Everglades to your right. The course will turn to the right again bringing you to the next Aid Station at mile 7. Continuing on the course will once again veer to the south for about ½ a mile. You will then turn left heading east for about 2 miles passing the mile 9 Aid Station. You will then come to a “T” in the road where you will take a left and head north. Running north along the Canal for the next couple miles you will pass the mile 11 Aid station.
Around mile 11.5 you will come to a junction where you will turn right heading east back toward the finish line. You will pass the next aid station at Mile 12 along this stretch of the course. You will then come to another “T” in the road around mile 12.75 where you will take a left to head to the finish line. This remaining ½ mile of the course will be along the side of a paved road. Where you will finish at the Schnebly Winery.
All runners will have 4 hours to finish the race.
LESS
Bummer
Race was cancelled. Probably will not complete this vacation races. Did not get cancellation insurance on airfare and hotel so took the cross country trip to Florida. I really think … MORE
Race was cancelled. Probably will not complete this vacation races. Did not get cancellation insurance on airfare and hotel so took the cross country trip to Florida. I really think the cancellation reason was bogus. Lack of scenery on course, Ha. There is no scenery on the rocky mountain course, Teton course only had a view the last 3 miles so cancelling for lack of scenery was not true
beautiful
nice flat course, lot of dirt n some road. you will be running thru plantations it was humid , a well organised VR race as usual. Swag was great. Lot … MORE
nice flat course, lot of dirt n some road. you will be running thru plantations
it was humid , a well organised VR race as usual. Swag was great. Lot of aid stations.
Fantastic experience
I was amazed that organization of this race. Great communication and planning before the race, very easy bib pick up, and race day was well organized. The course was lovely … MORE
I was amazed that organization of this race. Great communication and planning before the race, very easy bib pick up, and race day was well organized. The course was lovely and the narration of Everglades facts in the RaceJoy app just added to that. The staff and volunteers were so supportive. This was my first half marathon and I can’t wait to do more. I will definitely choose vacation races again and I hope the Everglades half returns next year.
Longest 5K I can remember
It was hot, but hey, it was also in south Florida, thankfully in October and not July. Course was nice and flat, but a bit longer than 5K. I was … MORE
It was hot, but hey, it was also in south Florida, thankfully in October and not July. Course was nice and flat, but a bit longer than 5K. I was thrilled to win my age group and snag an extra medal!
What a whim!
My wife and I did this more-or-less on a whim, and WHAT A WHIM it turned out to be! We both did the Gator Double (half marathon AND 5K). Between … MORE
My wife and I did this more-or-less on a whim, and WHAT A WHIM it turned out to be! We both did the Gator Double (half marathon AND 5K). Between the two of us we came home with 10 MEDALS and LOADS of kool shwag! After the race they apologized for 1) a slightly late start (I say THANKS for not making us run with a headlamp); 2) some mud…uh, have you never done any trail runs?; and 3) some unsightly garbage (yeah, that detracted from the otherwise awesome ambiance, but they could scope that out ahead of time, arrange for a garbage truck or two, and ask for volunteers, I would have gladly pitched in on that).
My wife and I plan to hit ALL of their races…
Best Swag & Organization
The medals were awesome and the organizers thought of everything….even coffee at the start. I’ve never been to an event that had such impressive organization and swag. I’ll be back!! … MORE
The medals were awesome and the organizers thought of everything….even coffee at the start. I’ve never been to an event that had such impressive organization and swag. I’ll be back!!
Most challenging flat course you can run
As always I loved this VR event. Loved the course, swag, people and other runners. I see a lot of reviews complaining about the course and the mud. One thing … MORE
As always I loved this VR event. Loved the course, swag, people and other runners. I see a lot of reviews complaining about the course and the mud. One thing I love about VR races is that they are not supposed to be just street (boring) runs. Thats the point you get out in nature: trails, mud, hills, high elevation all the fun things you will remember. This course was challenging because of the climate for me, coming from the north I don’t run in heat/humidity. This one was killer even though it was cooler than normal in the area. Only thing I would change on this one is have it in the winter time. Also the 5k was a little long at almost 3.5 miles.
Half Marathon in Southern Florida
Albeit my first race EVER, I’ve attended many events and festivals, and this production was AMAZING. The race itself — just plain ol’ awesome. The course looped through the fields … MORE
Albeit my first race EVER, I’ve attended many events and festivals, and this production was AMAZING. The race itself — just plain ol’ awesome. The course looped through the fields and crops of southern Florida, just bordering Everglades National Park. It was an athletic and cultural dream. It offered a taste of trail running and a heaping plate of classic road running. Everyone was super friendly and encouraging — the racers, the staff, the volunteers, and the watchful public. Let’s face it, too… It is hard to beat Miami in October. The weather is perfect. The baby alligators are plentiful. The tourists, less so. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Next up, the Grand Tetons.
Not up to standards set by VR
This was my 6th vacation race and it was my least favorite of all. Staff and volunteers were phenomenal as usual! I ran the Gator Double-5K on Friday and Half … MORE
This was my 6th vacation race and it was my least favorite of all.
Staff and volunteers were phenomenal as usual!
I ran the Gator Double-5K on Friday and Half Marathon on Saturday, and I did not care for either course.
Scenery was lacking on both courses, half marathon course had some very muddy sections that I know that race director has no control over. Very average.
Expo and post race were overall great.
Swag is awesome! I got an extra medal for doing the Gator Double.
I will not run this race again.
A little long
Vacation races are awesome! Staff and volunteers are some of the hardest working folks in the business! The course was a little long 3.47 miles to be exact and was … MORE
Vacation races are awesome!
Staff and volunteers are some of the hardest working folks in the business!
The course was a little long 3.47 miles to be exact and was rougher terrain than I was expecting
Expo and post race was usual for vacation races
Swag is top notch!
I would not run this race again
Never miss a chance to run with VR!
When I heard Vacation Races was bringing back this east coast race, I jumped on board immediately. VR always puts on top-notch productions, and this race was no different. The … MORE
When I heard Vacation Races was bringing back this east coast race, I jumped on board immediately. VR always puts on top-notch productions, and this race was no different. The course is FLAT (think ~60ft total elevation gain), which is to be expected in south FL. It was also hot, sunny, and humid – also to be expected for south FL. I really enjoyed running through the fruit farms, and the camraderie amongst Vacation Racers is always fulfilling on the course. Once again they put on a great race!
Nice swag, lack luster course
Aid stations were great, the information about the race was very helpful. Packet pick-up was well set up. However, the race started late. Additionally , there were several area’s on … MORE
Aid stations were great, the information about the race was very helpful. Packet pick-up was well set up. However, the race started late. Additionally , there were several area’s on the course were you had the navigate large mud puddles and pot holes. Overall, I liked being able to go to the Everglades National Park after the race, but I don’t plan to run this course again.
Awesome first half marathon race!
This race was my first ever. I was very impressed with how easy the registration and bib pick-up was; also, I loved the training plan provided by vacation races, it … MORE
This race was my first ever. I was very impressed with how easy the registration and bib pick-up was; also, I loved the training plan provided by vacation races, it was really helpful!
The vibes before, during, and after the race were great. Having a brewery/winery was also incredible good.
The only downside were a few cars in some parts of the dirt road of the course, some garbage on the side of the road, agricultural waste being burned right on the road/course towards the finish line (which difficulties my breathing), and the mud (which was actually expected given the rain in previous days and dirt roads). Other than that, everything was great and I loved it.
Nice looking medals and t-shirts as well!
Flat course but oddly hard
It is definitely a flat course but it is through farm land so you definitely needed to watch your step for holes potholes and ground ruts. It was a pretty … MORE
It is definitely a flat course but it is through farm land so you definitely needed to watch your step for holes potholes and ground ruts. It was a pretty course in the jungly areas. The heat and humidity definitely took its toll on me. But just like all VR races I had a great time and it was a well put on event. Only recommendation would be chests of ice throughout the second half of the event to help with the heat and humidity. Nothing like shoving some ice cubes in your bra to cool off!
Flat and shaded
It was more puddles and trail than I expected. It was nice to go through farms and flat land! The trail was mostly shaded and the stations were spaced great. … MORE
It was more puddles and trail than I expected. It was nice to go through farms and flat land! The trail was mostly shaded and the stations were spaced great. I don’t believe trail shoes would be needed. The medal and recovery boxes are good as always!
Course was just ok. Great swag and event
5K event was good, although the course was way long. About 3.5 miles. Not sure why they couldn't cut the course to be 3.1. Half course was nothing exciting. Mostly … MORE
5K event was good, although the course was way long. About 3.5 miles. Not sure why they couldn’t cut the course to be 3.1. Half course was nothing exciting. Mostly rural agriculture access roads. Potholes and gravel in many parts. Also many puddles and mud caused bottlenecks getting around problem areas. Overwise a well run event and great bling, as always from VR.
Great production, suboptimal course
VR does an amazing job of putting on great races. The course was pretty basic though with little in the way of gorgeous scenery. We ran on rough roads full … MORE
VR does an amazing job of putting on great races. The course was pretty basic though with little in the way of gorgeous scenery. We ran on rough roads full of potholes around farms of varying types such as fruit, vegetable, nurseries. The finish at the winery was through the back of the property, really not attractive, on rough dirt and unmowed trail. The parking area and start area was all unmowed with long grass. I was disappointed in the location for the race, but we were not far from the Everglades, although they were not visible at all from the winery. Then the winery charged a $10 cover charge for dinner or even going into the brewery after the race. I look forward to my next VR but will not return to the Everglades event.
Glad I did it
I completed the Everglades Alligator challenge put on by Vacation Races. If you've ever run one of they're events, you know they are run well. On Friday , the 5k … MORE
I completed the Everglades Alligator challenge put on by Vacation Races. If you’ve ever run one of they’re events, you know they are run well. On Friday , the 5k had one hiccup… it was about a half mile long. If you usually run longer distances, this isn’t an issue, but not everyone participation fits into that category. If you are new to running or train for the 5k distance, that extra half mile can be discouraging.
On Saturday, the half went off without much of a hitch. The only negative would be the scenery or lack of it. When you run a Vacation race, you tend to expect nice/beautiful scenery… We ran on roads that separated the fields where tropical plant and Fruits and vegetables are grown. That got old real quick.
Overall, the race was pretty good… not my favorite, but a Vacation Race is better than most good races hands down. If you haven’t run one of theirs before, I suggest you do it. They are top notch
Horrible Terrain
There were long stretches of mud and puddles that made for tough going. Had I known more about the terrain I’d have worn trail shoes instead of road shoes. MORE
There were long stretches of mud and puddles that made for tough going. Had I known more about the terrain I’d have worn trail shoes instead of road shoes.
florida is warm
road and trail combo. it was humid. as a walker it was a good warm up before the half marathon next day. the double gator swag is really cool. Great … MORE
road and trail combo. it was humid. as a walker it was a good warm up before the half marathon next day. the double gator swag is really cool. Great show put on y VR. would do this again!