The New Year’s Rockin’ 5K was the answer to a Florida runner’s prayer. Holiday races are truly so special to me, and I was stoked to have the chance to register for a 5K centered on the new year.
Why This Race?
We had a choice of two New Year’s themed races this year. I didn’t check out the price difference, but I liked the idea that the New Year’s Rockin’ 5K was at a new venue. Also, I was even happier to welcome back a local race company, that had taken a forced year off due to the pandemic. We are so glad to see them back on the scene!
Additionally, the race required masks at the start line, and requested runners provide their own water for the course. Individual bottles would be provided at the finish line, but that was it.
Pre-Race + Packet Pickup
No early pickup was available for the race, so we had to get our packets on race morning. Pickup and registration was scheduled from 7:00 – 8:30 AM (race time), so we made our way to the Beachwalk Club and amenity center. We got our packets, which included bibs and technical t-shirts, and had plenty of time to drop them off in the car, as well as use the (real) bathrooms).
The Course
I was super excited to run in a new neighborhood. Beachwalk is a brand new luxury subdivision, boasting a gigantic, crystal lagoon in its center. It’s not entirely finished, but it’s so close.
The 5K was a loop from the amenity center, through the residences, out onto the main highway, and back to the amenity center. Unfortunately, the weather was super uncooperative: it seemed like the headwind was always against us.
However, we pushed on. We started in the middle of the pack, with plenty of room, and held our position throughout the race. With only 80 participants, it wasn’t hard to socially distance. As advertised, there were no water stops, which was fine (I never drink during 5ks), but I missed the visual cue of ticking off distance. At least we could be out there, running.
We pushed through to the finish, and completed the distance faster than our Cottonmouth 5K time! Yay! I was so proud of us.
Post-Race
Obviously, post-race “parties” are a thing of the past, but no one said we couldn’t have mimosas! That’s right, the volunteers happily handed out complimentary mimosas to the runners, and I was so there for it.
In addition, the Beachwalk community graciously opened their lagoon and amenity center to the runners. We could explore the area, stay for the farmer’s market, try out the new restaurant, and participate in the polar plunge. While we did take some photos by the beautiful water, we opted to head out for breakfast. The festivities didn’t really start until 11, which was a long time to wait.
Excited? Yes. Yes, I was.
We finished the morning by picking up coffee and breakfast at Starbucks. The irish cream cold brew was the perfect complement to my mimosa.
And then it was home to warm up.
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A race recap. Love it.
Congrats. You looked like a fun morning.
Hope to read more of these.
You’re back.
<3 While some of the bigger races are being postponed, the local ones are hanging in there.
Congrats, Jenn! While I don’t love that Florida has been a free-for-all during the pandemic, it’s great that there have been races; looks like they are being done safely. Great way to kick off the New Year!
I don’t love what Florida is doing either, and we are absolutely not participating in so much of it. I have felt good about some events, but not so much about others. Fingers crossed that we can keep moving forward.
Congrats on your 5k – it looks like such a beautiful place to run! I would love a mimosa at a finish line, lol!
Thank you! It was so great!
Ah a real race! Very exciting and a fun way to kick off the new year. Congrats! You look very happy
I was happy. It was such a great start to the year.
“The irish cream cold brew was the perfect complement to my mimosa.”
Signs of a solid morning! Lol!
Sounds like a lovely race! While large races are exciting, I do enjoy the smaller ones. Especially in the new world we live in.
You know it!
I don’t love smaller races because I always fear being last. However, this one worked out really well.
What a beautiful race course! Congrats on your race!
It was so nice to run somewhere new, and I wasn’t too upset by the view afterwards!
Congrats on your race! That’s so great that you were able to do a live one. And how awesome that you got mimosas at the finish!
i loved the mimosa almost more than the medal LOL!
That water looks heavenly! I have always done a NYD run, but we didn’t organize anything formal this year (you know, #Covid LOL). It’s a lot more fun toasting the new year, post-run, out of a trunk of a car (near the lake) than in my kitchen…but that we can (hopefully) resume that tradition next year. Great job!
I hope that you can get back to that tradition next year. COVID has really ruined a lot of things 🙁
That lagoon is amazing. I wondered where you raced when you sent it for the collage as I knew the water by you wasn’t that blue. Yay on supporting local race companies and congrats on solid race!
It’s crazy! Residents and passholders will be able to swim, kayak, SUP, and hang on the beach. It’s something to see.
Good for you for improving your 5k time! I am so ready to run a real-life race again. This one sounded wonderful.It looks like a beautiful place to run. Any race that ends in mimosas is alright by me!
Laurie recently posted…The Highlight Reel – Mine and Yours
I was really happy! And yes, I was all for mimosas!
Sounds like a great time & kudos on beating your time!
That view looks AMAZING. Too bad about the wind, but it still sounds like you had a fantastic time.
It was so great!
I love that victory jump!! So glad you got to participate in a real event! Hopefully a sign of things to come this year!
Fingers crossed!