The Shark Bite Half Marathon & 5K is a certified Road Race, not a beach run. The race weekend will start on Saturday at The Shark Bite Expo. The Expo is a little different this year, now moved to the morning. The Feeding Frenzy 5K which highlights the stunning Historic …
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The Shark Bite Half Marathon & 5K is a certified Road Race, not a beach run.
The race weekend will start on Saturday at The Shark Bite Expo. The Expo is a little different this year, now moved to the morning. The Feeding Frenzy 5K which highlights the stunning Historic Canal Street District will kick off the weekend of races and get Challenge Participants chomping at the bit for the BLING!!!! Then the races will pick back up Sunday morning at the beautiful Flagler Ave Boardwalk where you can view a stunning sunrise before exploring the rest of the route. The course offers the best that New Smyrna Beach (NSB) has to offer with breathtaking views throughout. Crossing both causeways (bridges) giving wonderful views of the intracoastal waterway and ocean, and then meandering through both of NSB’s historic downtown districts: Flagler Ave and Canal St.
Our mission is to make the Shark Bite Half Marathon one of the premier half marathons in the state of Florida. Yes, that is the whole state, not just New Smyrna Beach, not just Volusia County. We strive to bring the best overall race experience; super soft race t-shirts, the best Finisher medals around, awesome awards, Top 10% Finisher Hats in half (only half marathon in Florida to do this), and much much more. We took everything we learned and loved about other events and rolled into into this full weekend event. This is an event created by Runners for Runners.
New Smyrna Beach is known for many things: Orlando’s Beach, Pro Surfers, Spring Break but nothing is as well known as its distinction of the SHARK BITE CAPITAL of the WORLD. Not to worry, we aren’t making you swim (although it isn’t a bad option to cool off after the event). In fact, Sharks are very important to humans as they help regulate the oceans which we are so dependent on.
Come enjoy a top notch Central Florida Half Marathon.
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5K is good if you can't do the Half
New Smyrna Beach has been overbuilt, and didn't plan parking lots. Arrive early, as this is the most challenging part of the race. Once settled in, the race itself is … MORE
New Smyrna Beach has been overbuilt, and didn’t plan parking lots. Arrive early, as this is the most challenging part of the race. Once settled in, the race itself is great. It starts on time with about 350 people in the 5K. It spreads out pretty quick as you run down Flager Ave. There are no Sharks, but Roosters on the course! There are many turns but nothing crazy, and a street with a sand base. Not too scenic, all small houses. First water stop is about 1.8 miles in, and they did have donuts there. Course is measured perfect. Nice big finisher medals, pint glass, t-shirt, and a Big Challenge medal. I would do the race again.
I made first place in my age group!!
Keep up with the good consistency and improve your speed. Listen to your body if you want to slow down. I almost did a half marathon in one hour and … MORE
Keep up with the good consistency and improve your speed. Listen to your body if you want to slow down.
I almost did a half marathon in one hour and a half. Any faster and I would half qualified for the half marathon in New York City
Take a bite out of this race!
This was a small race but very well orchestrated. It had been on my radar for several years but not being local, I had to work it into my schedule. … MORE
This was a small race but very well orchestrated. It had been on my radar for several years but not being local, I had to work it into my schedule. It was definitely worth the trip from Ohio. Weather was cooler than normal but still nicer than Ohio. The shirts were OK. Medals are huge and awesome. I won an award both days and they were very nice plaques. The party was so fun. Having a mechanical shark for people to “ride” was a true bonus. The free beer and pizza were exceptional. Nice people and a great venue. We will definitely be back.
Well Organized, Fun Race, Nice Medals
Parking was easy. Fast and easy check-in. Nice t-shirt. Small race of 336. Nice and flat out and back. Runners on course we excited to be there and very friendly. … MORE
Parking was easy. Fast and easy check-in. Nice t-shirt. Small race of 336. Nice and flat out and back. Runners on course we excited to be there and very friendly. Laid back if you wanted it too. Nice medal at finish, along with pint glass. I would recommend it.
Overall a good race
The scenery was beautiful in many portions of the race - I even saw dolphins at one point! The swag was good, large cool medals and I liked the shirts … MORE
The scenery was beautiful in many portions of the race – I even saw dolphins at one point! The swag was good, large cool medals and I liked the shirts though a women’s shirt would have been better than unisex. Hilly course in some areas but not the hardest I’ve done.
My biggest gripe was that even though I finished almost an hour before the cutoff, the post-race party was basically over. I was lucky to get one of the last slices of pizza, couldn’t get a massage because they were overbooked…the drink line was so long that I gave up and walked back to my hotel. If any of the organizers are reading these reviews – please, please work to make the experience the same for all runners who finish within the cutoff time parameters. We all deserve to have food and drinks, perks, etc. regardless of our finish time – those things shouldn’t just be for the faster folks. It was super hot that day and I was really looking forward to some pizza and a beer, the after party was a letdown. If you’re faster than I am you’d probably enjoy it.
Twists and turns galore
Overall a well run race but I would avoid the Sunday 5K option. Other than the Flagler Ave beachfront start / finish area, the course is pretty awful. I counted … MORE
Overall a well run race but I would avoid the Sunday 5K option. Other than the Flagler Ave beachfront start / finish area, the course is pretty awful. I counted no less than 16 turns winding through the very boring neighborhoods of NSB. They have a Saturday afternoon 5K that looks like a little nicer course over on Canal Street near the harbor and the half seems like it might be okay too. Normally, this is a great time of year to race in Florida but it was a bit cooler than usual on this day with a 38 degree starting temp. So needless to say, the free beer you get with your entry was not something that seemed welcome at 8 AM when the temp had only barely risen above 40. Nice medal though and they also give you a 16 oz beer glass and a nice shirt. Plenty of snacks and water at the finish too. If not for the twists and turns, this would be a great race.
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.