Race Report: Raptor Run 3K (3.10.2024)

It was a super busy weekend, with Sunday reserved for the Raptor Run 3K! This is a great run, at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm: even though it’s a short run, every detail is in place! This year was extra special, for two reasons. Let’s dive in!

About The Raptor Run 3K

For the 5th year, the Raptor Run 3K launches from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and winds for almost two miles through the neighborhoods that surround the zoological park. It’s a wonderful morning, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit a conservation partner. In 2024, the charity recipient is The Audubon Center For Birds of Prey.

Runners receive a soft t-shirt, a custom medal, and swag from local sponsors. There is a great after party with snacks, drinks and and food truck. And children receive free entry to the Alligator Farm after the run with an adult paid admission.

Race Morning

I wasn’t able to get to packet pickup on Friday, so I showed up to the venue super early on Saturday morning to get my packet.

I ate a granola bar and wandered around the site a bit. Check out these gorgeous medals!

I checked out the start line AND I got to see Robin! The last time I saw her was at the Savannah Women’s Half Marathon maybe eight years ago! It was so wonderful to give her a huge hug and catch up!

The Raptor

The coolest part of the Raptor Run 3K is the actual raptor! That’s right! A real-live (inflatable) raptor kicks off the run with a little bit of a head start. The first ten runners to beat the raptor to the finish line win an additional prize! It’s so cool! I hopped to the front of the race to snap a photo, and then popped back into the crowd.

The Race

Once the raptor was underway, the rest of the runners got to start! It was a beautiful morning, cool and not even terribly humid. My plan was to push as hard as I could, and run like the wind. And that’s what I did.

Looking back, I remember exactly nothing about the course. I was laser focused on the road ahead of me the whole time. It’s definitely a different feeling than when I take it all in, but I didn’t mind.

There was a water stop that did double duty along the out and back, and even though the course was open, there was no vehicular traffic while I was running.

The Finish Line

The second cool thing was that I PR’d! By quite a bit! In fairness, I walked last year’s race, and I was still recuperating a little the year before, but it’s nice to know my PR days are not entirely behind me! I even came in the top 10 of my age group! I’m very middle of the pack, so this was cool!

I waited for Robin to cross the line, and we chatted a little bit more. We got a group photo with the raptor, and then one on my own.

Post Race

Even though there were plenty of snacks, I opted to grab a coffee from the Sunrise Brew Coffee Truck. They made a wonderful iced blueberry cream latte (and they even make it half sweet, which is perfect!). Mr PugRunner had bought donuts and they were waiting at home!

Final Thoughts

This is really one of the best events of my race year. It’s for a great cause and full of awesome runners. It’s short, for sure, but it’s perfect for everyone, including kiddos. The shirts and medals are amazing, and the age group awards are unique and beautiful. Logging that PR was pretty fabulous, too, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Have you ever raced a raptor?

Join the Runner’s Roundup!

Link up each week to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas. Join your hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs, each week for the Runners’ Roundup linkup! Your link must be running related. Unrelated links will be removed. You must link back to your hosts — it’s common courtesy and a lot more fun! Spread the link-up love by visiting at least two other #running bloggers! Leave a comment and find new blogs to read! Use hashtags #running and #RunnersRoundup to stay in touch and promote your content!