Sarasota Half Marathon

Sarasota Half Marathon takes place in the Lakewood Ranch area of Sarasota, Florida, on January 9, 2027. The half marathon (13.1 miles) starts at 7:15 a.m., while the 10K and the 5K both go off at 7 a.m., so the morning covers a wide range of levels. The event is built around a community atmosphere, with local vendors, music and a group stretch session before the start. Entry includes a race shirt, snacks are served after the finish, and awards are handed out across several age groups.

Road racing in early January means a long autumn build rather than a summer one, and the 13.1 is a sensible goal if you want a winter target that does not demand marathon volume. Twelve weeks of consistent running with one weekly long run will get most people to the line ready to race rather than survive. The 10K and 5K start at the same hour, so a group or a family can split across three distances and still meet at the finish within the same morning.