Sarasota Music Half Marathon Set For Sunday

SARASOTA, FL — As runners prepare to converge on town for the Sarasota Music Half Marathon, residents need to be aware of accommodations being made for Sunday’s festivities.

The half marathon, described as a “moving party,” will cover a 13.1-mile course. Twenty marching bands, lots of runners, cheerleaders and spectators will all be on hand for the event. Here are a few things to know about the festivities:

Start Time and Location

The marathon is set to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. The event is expected to last until about 11 a.m.

The Course

The marathon will head over the Ringling Bridge and back, pass by Selby Gardens, go up Orange Avenue, traverse the Cherokee Park neighborhood, circle back through Selby Garden and end back at the Van Wezel.

The Bands

For a full list of bands participating, check out the marathon’s website. Some of the entries include the Sarasota High School Mighty Sailor Marching Band, Aural Alchemy, Jah Movement and Steel Relic.

Registration

The event is sold out, according to its website.

Spectator Information

Spectators are encouraged to turn out for the fun. The Ringling Bridge offers a good viewing spot and there’s also lots of viewing along the course.

Lane Closings

The Sarasota Police Department has announced the following lane closures during the race:

• S/B traffic will be merged into one lane from 10th Street to S. Orange Avenue.
• N/B traffic will be merged into one lane from Hudson Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue.

John Ringling Causeway and the Ringling Bridge, 6:30 to 11 a.m.

• W/B traffic will be merged into one lane form Tamiami Trail (US41) to Bird Key Drive.
• E/B traffic will be merged into one lane from Adam’s Drive to Bird Key Drive.
• E/B traffic will again be merged into one lane from Hart’s Landing to Tamiami Trail (US41).
• East and West traffic will be redirected as two-way traffic in the south side lanes from Adam’s Drive to Bird Key Drive.

St. Armand’s Circle, 6:30 to 9 a.m. (estimated)

• St. Armand’s Circle - All lanes completely closed.
• S/B lane of N. Blvd of the Presidents will be closed from Madison Dr. to St. Armand’s Circle.
• N/B lane of S. Blvd of the Presidents will be closed from Monroe Dr. to St. Armand’s Circle.
• All traffic will be re-routed via Washington Drive to Monroe Drive to S. Adam’s Drive for access to the John Ringling Causeway and Ringling Bridge.

South Orange Avenue, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. (estimated)

• All of S. Orange Avenue is completely closed from Mound Street (US41) until it becomes McClellan Drive and continues to be closed to the intersection of S. Osprey Avenue.

South Osprey Avenue, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. (estimated)

• All of South Osprey Avenue will be completely closed from McClellan Drive to Webber Street.
• The S/B lane of South Osprey Avenue will be closed from McClellan Drive to South Drive.

Cherokee Park, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. (estimated)

• W/B South Drive will be closed from S. Osprey Avenue to Cherokee Terrace.
• All of Cherokee Terrace will be closed from South Drive to North Drive.
• The W/B lane only of North Drive is closed from Cherokee Terrace to S. Osprey Avenue.

For more details, visit the marathon’s website.