From race website: “Hello friends! It saddens us to announce that the Tomoka Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K will not be taking place in 2023. Due to rising costs, permitting complications and the overall challenges of putting on such a large scale event, we are taking a year off. We …
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From race website: “Hello friends! It saddens us to announce that the Tomoka Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K will not be taking place in 2023. Due to rising costs, permitting complications and the overall challenges of putting on such a large scale event, we are taking a year off. We are actively reassessing and revising the event to find ways to make it more viable. Our hope is to bring the event back in 2024. We thank everyone that has joined us for the event year after year and look forward to seeing you at future events. “
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The Tomoka Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, will take place in Ormond Beach, FL this March. The race includes a full marathon, half marathon, and a 5K run/walk. The full marathon is a certified as a Boston Qualifier. This year we will also have a Ruck division for the half marathon.
The start and finish area for all events will be at the Casements in Ormond Beach. The post race party will be held in Rockefeller Gardens and features complimentary food, drinks and beer for participants.
Funds raised by this event will be returned to the local community in a variety of ways. Donations are made to student and citizen groups who provide volunteer support. In the past these groups have included: VFYMCA, Team RWB, Seabreeze Boys Cross Country Team, Boy Scouts of America, Ormond Beach Civil Air Patrol, ERAU Lady Eagles Soccer Team and the Halifax Health Foundation.
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Such a beautiful race
The Tomoka Marathon was a special race. The course runs through a variety of natural scenes including a beautiful tree lined stretch that despite the somewhat later date in the … MORE
The Tomoka Marathon was a special race. The course runs through a variety of natural scenes including a beautiful tree lined stretch that despite the somewhat later date in the year for a marathon in FL– make the temperature situation bearable. Unfortunately they did not have the marathon in 2023– I sure hope it returns in 2024 and beyond. I really love running this race. They also have really cool T-Shirts.
Beautiful, flat course
This was a beautiful, flat course with the exception of crossing the bridge. Great support along the route with water stops, gels, and fruit. So glad the half started at … MORE
This was a beautiful, flat course with the exception of crossing the bridge. Great support along the route with water stops, gels, and fruit. So glad the half started at 6:30 AM even while still dark because once that sun comes up, the sweat fest begins.
Loved the free (one) beer at the end and the $5 donation for a 10 minute massage. I got a shirt and a race medal, and the medal is big and heavy.
Small race with just over 1600 people competing in all 3 events.
Lots of friendly faces along the way!
Beautiful, flat course- Hot!
Course is beautiful and flat. Runs along a river for ~9 miles. The first 9 miles along the river is dark, but the moon is beautiful reflecting off the river. … MORE
Course is beautiful and flat. Runs along a river for ~9 miles. The first 9 miles along the river is dark, but the moon is beautiful reflecting off the river. Watch out for snakes- had a near miss at ~mile 7😳. The back half basically runs down the other side of the river through lush tropical forests. A little soul crushing out &back ~20. The final sadistic trick is to climb a very steep bridge at mile 25.5. Finish area was minimal-cups of water, beer, and cheese pizza. The packet pick up and swag was minimal as well- T- Shirt and several coupons. Overall- Highly Recommend due to the scenery. Just keep in mind the potential for hot weather- and it was hot this year(2022). 66~80 degrees.
Fun Race in Ormond Beach
The weather on race day was hot and humid, so be prepared for those conditions. The final leg of the race going over the bridge to the finisher line was … MORE
The weather on race day was hot and humid, so be prepared for those conditions. The final leg of the race going over the bridge to the finisher line was a challenge. Overall an enjoyable race and fun experience!
First ever half marathon
This was my first race I completed. After me and my sister’s dad passed away, we wanted to do something positive so we trained and completed our first half marathon. … MORE
This was my first race I completed. After me and my sister’s dad passed away, we wanted to do something positive so we trained and completed our first half marathon. I’ll never forget this race, it holds a special place in my heart. It was the start of my running journey. I’ve since taken off an hour and nine minutes off of my time and I’m not done yet. I love everything about this race. The volunteers, the spectators, the course. The finish line is the most magical I’ve ever ran across. I will sign up for this race every year, it’s that special to me. I recommend that everyone should do this race at least once and you’ll be coming back again and again. Can’t wait for this year’s race back at it’s original location!
One of the Best in Central Florida
I was a pacer at this event this year again. I really recommend this race. The course is lovely - we run through two state parks and along the Halifax … MORE
I was a pacer at this event this year again. I really recommend this race.
The course is lovely – we run through two state parks and along the Halifax River. The weather was perfect for Florida running this year. (about 50ºF at race start) The course is mostly flat. There is a bridge at the end, so if you are pacing yourself, I would pace at at least 3-4 seconds faster per mile as you lose a bit of time on the sand in the Tomoka State park and on that last bridge in the final mile.
After the parks, we have to go through some neighborhoods – which can be pretty boring, but since I had bonded with my little group for the last 3 hours, I told jokes to them to help pass the time. Then, they shared some jokes, and we all had fun.
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Expo/Packet Pick-up
I did not attend the expo this year, but my friend who picked up the packet said that he didn;t notice safety pins.
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Parking
There is plenty of parking, but people who are dropping off their fellow runners cause unecessary traffic delays. We got there at 5:30 and the start line was less than a mile from where they had parking. There is plenty of time to park, walsk to the start line, and use the portapotty if you needed to. I did all of that plus met up withthe pace team to get my stick and say hello.
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Portapotties
I only noticed one “bank” of portapotties at the start of the race- there were 25 of them there, but the lines were moving quickly and they had an entire pack of Costco-sized TP “on deck” in case someone needed to refill. Both of the potties I used (before and after the race) were well-stocked with hand sanitizer.
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Water Stations
Water stations were frequent, but short, so look your volunteer in the eye, point and tell them what you want if you want to grab it on-the-fly. The stations were consistent in that they were all WATER – GATORADE -WATER and the Gatorade was mixed to perfection. ☺ I always carry a water/Gatorade mix with me and I never even opened it until mile 19. After mile 13, it seemed like they had BOOM (or Zoom- something like that) gel packets at every other water stop. That was nice. REALLY NICE. They were good flavors, too and most of the volunteers called out the flavors that they were offering (which, for me, is always appreciated. Beggars can’t be choosers but I just don’t like when textures and flavors mismatch. I love coffee, but coffee gel …. not so much.)
Every water station seemed to have a portapotty, too, and the areas were kept tidy by the volunteers manning them.
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Not a lonesome run ♥
What I love about this race is that it’s a good size and the marathoners get a head start; so while we’re running: what is around us is what we can expect for the rest of the race. I hate when 60% of the people running split off at mile 6 and I feel like I’m the only one out there for 20 more miles.
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A Green Race
Another thing that I like about this race is that they have paper goody bags, not plastic, and this year, our t-shirt was made of recycled polyester. ☺
I wish that they could push this as a “selling point” for the event.
If I could recommend anything to the race directors it would be this: While it’s nice that they have the gels for us so frequently after the half-way point, I wish that they had a few more trash cans in-between the stops. I know that the athletes should be more respectful and mindful of this, but I was upset to see so many people had discarded their used packets on the ground when we were running in such a pristine, natural setting. Perhaps even mentioning it to the runners at the start would cut back on the litter. I don’t know.
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After Party
The party after the race is just beautiful. There’s not a lot to do other than get a massage, drink beer, and eat pizza, but the venue is really nice. We hung around and cheered people in while we stretched out. The medal was a beast as usual. The same medal for the full and the half, but the full marathoners had blue print on the lanyard.
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Also – congratulations to Glenn (424) who ran with me for a bit. He ran his 100th and, allegedly, final marathon. ♥ ☺
*** Congratulations to Chris (196), the 17 year-old who held with me until mile 19 before I told him to slow down until he could sing SpongeBob Square Pants without huffing and puffing. He PR’d his marathon by about an hour and a half.
*** Congratulations to Joe (376) who stuck with me from the beginning until Mile 23½ when I told him to go and never see me again – he PR’d with a 4:28. He told me that he never ran so far without walking in his life. (He ran the entire race. ☺)
*** Amending this post – apparently, pictures are free downloads after the race. ☺
Absolutely Gorgeous! (A pacer's review)
•IF YOU ARE NOT USED TO RUNNING IN FLORIDA•F I want to start with this because if you only read a bit, read this - If you are coming in … MORE
•IF YOU ARE NOT USED TO RUNNING IN FLORIDA•F I want to start with this because if you only read a bit, read this – If you are coming in from another state, bring salt pills. Even though it is March and it is cooler in other parts of the world, it’s still pretty mild in Florida. I was a pacer at this event, leading the 4:30 troop to the finish line. I always bring spare salt pills or even salt packets with me, but it’s hard for some people to ask for help along the course because they are so determined to power through. If/when your pacer asks how you are doing, speak up if something’s wrong. I lost a runner from Maryland who cramped up at mile 17. I thought he just slowed down but I saw him at the finish line relaxing when I crossed and he told me he DNF’ed due to his legs cramping up. 🙁 I could see how much salt he lost on his face.
•General review:
Since I was pacing and to save a little time in the morning, I picked up my race packet on Friday evening and manned the pacers’ table at the expo for a few hours. Don’t be shy! We are of service to the runners and as a rule, we have to have so many races under our belt in order to do this. It’s OK to ask us questions, and please don’t be intimidated by us. I’ve had a few runners ask me, “how are you NOT out of breath?!” to which I respond “do you really want your pacer to be struggling?” I don’t ask it to be rude or disrespectful, but they assign us to our slots 10-20 minutes slower than the average of our last 3 half marathon and 20-30 minutes slower than our last 3 full marathons.
•PACKET PICK-UP•
Packet pickup was held at a cute, little local brewery. We picked up our bibs and they tested them over the RFID scanner to make sure that all was well, then we picked up our shirts, and small, local vendors and sponsors were in the area. Unfortunately, I didn’t look around too much, but I saw plenty of people walking out with full bags, so they must have enjoyed what they saw. The shirt is very comfy – it was a nice heather gray tech shirt with lime green piping along the sides and matching lime green print. I don’t wear a lot of race shirts with short sleeves but I like this one because of the way that the side panels make you look slimmer.
•RACE MORNING•
I had a 2-hour drive in with a friend who was running the half marathon. We parked at what appeared to be a school parking lot or a park. Parking was free and it was maybe a 3-block walk to the start line. We could have parked closer, but we rationalized that getting out may be difficult so this park was perfect (and it was.) I usually use the portapotty before a race and they had plenty – plenty of TP, too, so no issues there. I remember that Dunkin’ Donuts was there handing out coffee, which was nice because it was a little chilly before the race.
•The Race Itself•
The race starts at this gorgeous little park nestled on the Halifax River. Vendors and sponsors were set up in the park and the music was pumping to get everyone hyped up for the race. The first mile is very dark so if you like your headlamp, waist lamp, or shoe lights, bring them: better to be safe than sorry.
We run through some neighborhoods that are right on the river and I don’t recall a lot of neighbors being out, but it was still pretty dark and the houses were nice to look at. After the neighborhoods, we run along some beautiful “Natural Florida” areas – you might call them wetlands or swamps but I didn’t see or hear any alligators: we just saw a lot of birds and just about the most beautiful sunrise since the Atlantic Ocean is only about a half a mile due east of us until the 10th mile.
Once we get off the peninsula (I don’t think that it’s an island), we head through a bit of a state park and SHADE, GLORIOUS SHADE! for the next 10 miles or so. I also remember on this main road, people were driving along to cheer us on and play music for us which was nice but it’s also nice to hear nature, too.
•APPROACHING THE FINISH LINE•
There is a steep bridge as you approach the finish line. It looks much larger than it is, but be sure to train for your downhills, too. This bridge is devious because you can see the finish line from the top of it, but you have to go to the left, run through the park’s parking lot, go under the bridge and then cross the finish line…. but it’s worth it. A lot of people hang out in this park after the race or just in their daily out-and-about Saturday stroll, so there are usually people cheering you in; and THE MEDAL IS A BEAST! You will not be disappointed. Both the half marathoners and the full marathoners get the same medal, but I know that there are minimums and casting fees that happen when you design a custom medal, and with everything else being on-point for this race, I love it. Overall:
•PROS•
• Friendly volunteers
• Water stops were well-stocked
• Most of the water stations had basic first-aid (at least the 2 that I stopped at (I ran ahead to get bandages and Vaseline for a runner feeling blisters.)
• Fantastic Medal
• Nice, comfy shirt (if you like short-sleeve shirts)
• Repeat-runners got a pint glass
• Free Pizza at the finish line
•CONS•
• Not really a con but the race is on Saturday so if you’re used to Sunday races, be sure to mark your calendar properly.
• SWAG was not memorable. I remember shirt, medal, and a pint glass for repeat runners but that was it. And that’s all you really need but if there was something else – I don’t remember it.
Happy Running!
One of my favorites so far
This is a moderately-sized race (around 750 halfers, along with marathoners and 5K folks) that starts and ends at a huge park along the intracoastal waterway. The only elevation change … MORE
This is a moderately-sized race (around 750 halfers, along with marathoners and 5K folks) that starts and ends at a huge park along the intracoastal waterway. The only elevation change is crossing the bridge twice! The course is a straightforward almost out-and-back which runs along the intracoastal waterway for the majority of it, with an entrance and loop through the Tomoka State Park, which is ‘old Florida’ at its best. The afterparty is awesome, with plenty of free food and entertainment. There is great course support and a lot of encouragement by the locals. Weather is just about perfect (like an Ohio summer race). And the medal was huge! Definitely one of my favorites (out of 22 so far). And if you are traveling from out of town, you are right near the beach, just north of Daytona! We loved our stay in Ormond Beach!
This was a fun run, and great scenery!
I ran this race because it was close to my house and convenient. I have run it multiple times because I like the race. You get to run down streets … MORE
I ran this race because it was close to my house and convenient. I have run it multiple times because I like the race. You get to run down streets with beautiful old trees that create shade and you get to run along small creeks and over bridges. It was surprisingly awesome!