Key West Real Estate: SoMo Marathon Challenges Runners Along the Keys

For many, October means jack-o-lanterns, Halloween parties, and harvest fairs. But here in the Florida Keys, the beginning of the month is all about the SoMo, or SouthernmostMarathon & Half Marathon race. Coming up Saturday October 10^th , participants will be running a 26.2 or 13.1 mile trek through the Keys. This marathon is the pinnacle event for the annual Key WestRunning Festival, which includes happy hours, a street fair, and expo all around the big race. The festival runs from October 8^th through the 11^th. There are several happy hour celebrations to kick off this one of a kind Marathon, and Sunday includes a 10k and 5k run for those not quite ready to run the marathon, but who want to get in on the action just the same.

The full SoMo marathon begins at 5:30 am and the half marathon starts at 6:15 am. Both races begin and end at the event’s main sponsor, Pat Croce’s Rum Barrel. Running the full marathon will take participants through Key West’s Old Town, along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shores, then onto Stock Island and part of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway via the bike path. The half marathon track includes portions of Old Town and sections along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Both will offer some great scenic views of the natural beauty in the Keys as well as historic monuments. If you want to get in on the action of this incredible race, you can pick up forms at the Rum Barrel on October 8^th from 5-7 pm, and again from noon to 9 pm on October 9^th. There will also be a great race expo going on Friday at the Rum Barrel until 6 pm.

After the big race is completed, there will be an award ceremony at the Rum Barrel as part of an afternoon Street Festival, which runs from 9 am to 2 pm just outside the Rum Barrel. There will be plenty of celebration on hand as several Key West restaurants and pubs will be offering specials for the racers, adding to the fun on hand. If you have designs on the shorter races on Sunday, you can sign up for them on Saturday during the Street Fair. The Sunday race will be held at Key West’s Salute! On the Beach at 1000 Atlantic Blvd. beginning at 8:30 am.

Be aware, no matter the race you want to challenge yourself in, there is a registration fee for each distance. The full marathon fee is $140, the half marathon $120, the 10k $60, and the 5k $30. These prices are up from the initial entry fee as we have passed the first deadline of September 1^st. For your fee, you not only get to proudly boast that you participated in the SoMo Marathon, but will also receive a commemorative t-shirt, finish medal, and a goody bag for your efforts.