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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: zooma amelia island (part 2)

race report: zooma amelia island (part 2)

October 26, 2022      19 Comments

Are you ready for Part 2 of the official race report: ZOOMA Amelia Island! I was hoping to have pro race photos back by this time, but it seems like we will just have to work with what I have. Let’s get to it!

Race Morning

Due to limited parking, Meghan and I opted to get up early so we were guaranteed a spot. We brought bagels and peanut butter to eat while we waited. There was also plenty of time to use the bathrooms and catch the sunrise over the beach.

Bag check was available, but we were parked so close to the start/finish line and post-race activity area the we just opted to stash our belongings in the car, and forego that service.

Race Start

After photos and wandering about, the announcer indicated it was time to line up. The half marathon and 12K would start together, deviate at a certain point, and then converge for the last bit of the race.

The weather was lovely and we were ready to get going.

Promptly at 7:20, we took off.

Miles 1 – 3

The race left from Main Beach Park and took off through Amelia Island.

Our first three miles were fairly straightforward, through the streets and neighborhoods of the beach area. There were some turns and some slight hills (Floridians, you understand), but nothing too major.

I think it’s important to point out this was an open course, meaning runners shared the road with vehicular traffic. On a Sunday morning, there weren’t a ton of cars, but I would encourage anyone running the scarce to be on high alert.

Meghan and I just did our thing. We ran when we felt like it and walked at other times. I was really up for anything and happy to take my lead from her.

Miles 4 – 7.44

The hardest part of the 12K was a bridge at about the halfway point. The ascent and descent were both awkwardly banked, which was rough on my ankle. The view at the top was so worth it, though.

For quite a few miles, runners made their way through the paved roads of Fort Clinch. I loved this part of the run. It was quiet and shaded and quite lovely. Running through the woods always gives me a feeling of peace, and it was nice to not be directly in the morning sun.

At a certain point, the half marathoners joined back up with us, and we found ourselves out of the woods and on our way to the finish line!

Volunteers handed us these gorgeous medals, cold water, and icy towels, which were a nice touch. Yay for another race!

ZOOMA Post-Party

Medals in hand, it was time to party!

ZOOMA had an area roped off with music, snacks, and mimosas. Sign me up, please!

The snack boxes had huge Costco muffins in apple or pumpkin, and trail mix. Runners could also help themselves to apples, bananas, and yogurt. Loved that!

Another table offered mimosas and juice.

We grabbed a spot at a picnic table to celebrate.

While we were at the beach, we got some more medal photos.

And then we cleaned up, packed the car, and went to brunch!

Final Thoughts

It’s been years since I ran ZOOMA in Amelia Island, and a lot has changed (for the better).

Things I Loved:

  • The full weekend of activities
  • A performance tank instead of a t-shirt
  • A huge swag bag (reusable, clear bag with water bottle, tank, luggage tag, sticker and patch)
  • Great snacks and mimosas after the race
  • Pretty course
  • Options for a challenge (5K on Saturday night with 12k or half on Sunday morning)
  • GORGEOUS medals

Things I Didn’t Love:

  • The open course
  • The banked bridge
  • The lack of running supplies at the expo

Two thumbs up for ZOOMA Amelia Island! I plan to be back soon!

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Comments

  1. Catrina says

    October 26, 2022 at 4:29 am

    Well done on your 12k, Jenn! Running on an open course can be quite a challenge, but it’s a good thing that there’s not much traffic on Sunday morning.
    It looks like a spectacular weekend!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      That was not my favorite part. But we made it!

      Reply
  2. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    October 26, 2022 at 9:25 am

    Sounds like a great race! Congrats! Looks like they really went all out with the food and drinks post-race.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      It was a lovely after party.

      Reply
  3. Marcia says

    October 26, 2022 at 11:16 am

    Great race Jenn! I don’t know how I didn’t see you and Meghan on race day! Ha! The weather was so nice!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:15 pm

      I don’t know! There was a lot going on!

      Reply
  4. Liz Dexter says

    October 26, 2022 at 11:28 am

    I love the medals! What a lovely thing to do.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:15 pm

      The medals were gorgeous.

      Reply
  5. Jenny says

    October 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    Wow, this sounds really fun. I love that beach sunrise! You didn’t mention being way too hot so I’m assuming the weather was beautiful. I’m glad this was such a great experience!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:15 pm

      The weather was fabulous this week!

      Reply
  6. Meghan R says

    October 26, 2022 at 2:29 pm

    It was a great time for sure!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:14 pm

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  7. Darlene Cardillo says

    October 26, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    Looks like such a nice race. I enjoyed my Bermuda experience as well. ZOOMA does a great job with their races. I hope to do another someday.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:14 pm

      Bermuda sounds so fun.

      Reply
  8. Deborah Brooks says

    October 26, 2022 at 5:01 pm

    I love a full weekend of activities! They do know how to throw a party. Looks like a great race weekend

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:14 pm

      It was so great.

      Reply
  9. Kristen | kristenwoolsey.com says

    October 27, 2022 at 8:18 pm

    I really enjoyed the Zooma race the year I did it! The medal this year
    Kristen | kristenwoolsey.com recently posted…Cliffs of Moher Photo DiaryMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      It was a great time!

      Reply
  10. Coco says

    October 29, 2022 at 1:54 am

    Sounds like a great event except for the open course. I’ve only had that on the infamous one and only DC area Hot Chocolate race, where we ran on the shoulder of a pretty busy road.

    Post-race mimosas sound fantastic.

    Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have a grumble of pugs, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!

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