This was my first time running Sharkbite, a nice Central Florida half marathon weekend that isn't as glitzy as the RunDisney productions but still a nice time produced well. Parking … MORE
This was my first time running Sharkbite, a nice Central Florida half marathon weekend that isn’t as glitzy as the RunDisney productions but still a nice time produced well.
Parking in NSB is always a bit of a pain, but we found a spot less than a mile from the start. Approaching the start/finish area, there were plenty of portopotties, but the true bonus was super clean beach bathrooms. The highlight of the race for me, as each was an individual bathroom with locking door and the wait wasn’t too bad. You’re not in South Florida here, so the weather can be weird. Last year was rain and cold, this year was wind and cold. We started the race at 36 degrees and a 10+ mph North wind. I did dump a cheap jacket at mile 2 and it was gone by the time I got back to that spot post race. The last 2 miles were straight into the wind along a major road. While these were the ocean view miles, most of us were keeping our heads down to minimize wind resistance. I sported some terrible splits on miles 11/12.
The bling was nice — huge medals and a pint glass (a few people dropped them in unfortunate places). Pizza at the end tasted yum and a free drink was included for those that are inclined to drink bubbly alcohol after running 13 miles.
This will likely be on my rotation for years. If you don’t need fireworks, Disney characters waving at you, want to spend half as much…do this one in lieu of the famous one the week before just down the road.
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Great location, not crowded, fun race
This was my first time running Sharkbite, a nice Central Florida half marathon weekend that isn't as glitzy as the RunDisney productions but still a nice time produced well. Parking … MORE
This was my first time running Sharkbite, a nice Central Florida half marathon weekend that isn’t as glitzy as the RunDisney productions but still a nice time produced well.
Parking in NSB is always a bit of a pain, but we found a spot less than a mile from the start. Approaching the start/finish area, there were plenty of portopotties, but the true bonus was super clean beach bathrooms. The highlight of the race for me, as each was an individual bathroom with locking door and the wait wasn’t too bad. You’re not in South Florida here, so the weather can be weird. Last year was rain and cold, this year was wind and cold. We started the race at 36 degrees and a 10+ mph North wind. I did dump a cheap jacket at mile 2 and it was gone by the time I got back to that spot post race. The last 2 miles were straight into the wind along a major road. While these were the ocean view miles, most of us were keeping our heads down to minimize wind resistance. I sported some terrible splits on miles 11/12.
The bling was nice — huge medals and a pint glass (a few people dropped them in unfortunate places). Pizza at the end tasted yum and a free drink was included for those that are inclined to drink bubbly alcohol after running 13 miles.
This will likely be on my rotation for years. If you don’t need fireworks, Disney characters waving at you, want to spend half as much…do this one in lieu of the famous one the week before just down the road.
A great race through a scenic beach town
The race was excellent. Everything was organized and on time. I did the Half Challenge with the Feeding Frenzy 5k on Sat evening and the Half on Sunday. All of … MORE
The race was excellent. Everything was organized and on time. I did the Half Challenge with the Feeding Frenzy 5k on Sat evening and the Half on Sunday. All of the medals were BIG and beautiful. The course was clearly marked with water/Gatorade every two miles. At the finish there was free pizza and beer. What more could you want?! Definitely recommend this race to people despite the fact that the weather was COLD for Florida this year!
Great job on this growing race!
Good location with plenty of lodging options near start and finish line. Affordable hotels with great views! This little town has everything you need for a great runcation! MORE
Good location with plenty of lodging options near start and finish line. Affordable hotels with great views! This little town has everything you need for a great runcation!
Great race and the best medal for a half
The race was very scenic but what i liked the most was the after race festivities, lots of vendors and food, plus a great medal. Only bad thing was the … MORE
The race was very scenic but what i liked the most was the after race festivities, lots of vendors and food, plus a great medal. Only bad thing was the drive from orlando. 1:35 minutes to the start.
beautiful scenery
The medal is HUGE and very heavy! Only one big causeway to run over at mile 7. The race support was fantastic. I will be doing this half again. I … MORE
The medal is HUGE and very heavy! Only one big causeway to run over at mile 7. The race support was fantastic. I will be doing this half again. I liked how the half started earlier than the 5k. My only complaint was that it got hot quickly because we started at 7:30.
Great SWAG, Great Fun!
I was a called on as a last-minute fill-in as a pacer for this one. (The race was Sunday, I was asked on Wednesday) and while I knew that I … MORE
I was a called on as a last-minute fill-in as a pacer for this one. (The race was Sunday, I was asked on Wednesday) and while I knew that I could run the pace, pacing it was another story. (I did well, but weather had a lot to do with that.)
**RACE MORNING
It was chilly but parking was easy and there are stunning views of the Atlantic ocean where many runners huddled up and took pre-race selfies before the start of the race.
The DJ and emcee were very good. They did a great job “dropping the beats” and keeping the runners pumped up before the race which is really helpful when it is chilly – no joke- it was probably in the mid-to-upper 30s (ºF) at race start.
The start line area is a little huddled in that people were trying to stay on the road because there was a short amount of pavement before the road ended and turned into sand.
I picked up my packet that morning with no issues and took my goody bag back to the car. Vendors were already setting up for the post-race area.
I usually give a portapotty report so here it is: there were plenty but no hand sanitizer in any of them. (TP was sufficient). Luckily one of the vendors was handing out little packets of wet wipes so I took one and put it on top of a pylon or barrel for others to use.
**THE COURSE
The course was really pretty. It is all along the Atlantic ocean and the roads were clear from heavy traffic which is nice for a “share the road” race. There are two bridges on the course – one is a bascule bridge (which one of my runners told me actually opened for a passing sailboat in a previous year’s race) and the other is an intercoastal bridge near the end of the race.
I’ve paced a lot of races but I’ve never had so many friendly, chatty “pacees” with me as I did at Shark Bite. It was really nice to have people to talk to because it makes the time go by quickly – and many of them had been veterans of the race and were able to let me know what to expect on the course.
There was one point on the course that was a bit of a problem: there is a hairpin turn on the course where you start to head back – they put a water stop on that turn. Not 50 feet before or after it, but right at it which makes it really hard to grab if you’re trying to get your tangents and it’s hard to grab-and-go on a curve anyway.
The bridges were fine but in the last 1½ miles it got really windy – and, unfortunately, it was not a tailwind; but me and my pacees powered through and – as I normally do – I told them to leave me and finish their race as I saw the final turn approaching.
When I came to the finish line, the music was pumping and the emcee came out and did a little boogie with me before I crossed the line. I was a little early but wind gusts make it hard to maintain an even pace: it’s like someone’s pushing you and then letting go- you just take off.
**POST RACE
First things first. I think that sharks are awesome and this beast of a medal did not disappoint me at all. It’s my favorite half marathon medal to-date.
Next: I LOVE a good pint glass. I accidentally dropped mine on the way back to the car and it didn’t break. (I’m sure that was sheer luck) but I use it all the time.
Next: FOOD – real food not just bananas and bagels. I remember pizza and if you wanted it- beer.
Finally: you know mechanical bulls in little honky-tonk bars? Well, they have a mechanical shark. That’s right. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do it because my Dad came to the race with me then decided it was too cold when we got there so he waited in the car and snuggled up with the blanket that I still had in there from a previous marathon.
This may be a pre-race thing, but I love the shirt, too. My boss calls it “the elusive Shark Bite shirt” because I told him that this is one that I just can’t get enough of. I love the color, I love the fabric. I just love it.
**OVERALL
I was very impressed with this race being as small as it was. The event production was great. The volunteers were good. The water stops were well-stocked and ready for the runners. The weather was perfect for running (which race directors have no control over, but I was grateful for anyway.)
*** In short – do this race. ***
Happy Running!
Beachfront after party
Day of packet pickup included a comfy T-shirt that I’ve worn many times. The race course is really, really flat except for a draw bridge. I was not accustomed to … MORE
Day of packet pickup included a comfy T-shirt that I’ve worn many times. The race course is really, really flat except for a draw bridge. I was not accustomed to the humidity and ended up taking my shirt off back way through so if you’re from the north beware. After the race there was a mechanical shark, beer and a band right on the beach. It was a fun race and the medal is HUGE.