Now entering its 6th year, the Marathon of the Treasure Coast has solidified its line up for the 2019 race weekend which kicks off on Friday, March 1. This year’s event gets off to a rocking start with the Rock & Run Music Festival presented by Earthtones, headlined on Friday night by world-renowned singer songwriter Ana Popovic, who is no stranger to Stuart, selling out the Lyric Theater on multiple earlier occasions. Saturday, March 2 gets out of the gate early with the City of Stuart Sailfish Sprint 5K and 10K at 7am, followed by the Marathon Expo and Packet Pickup beginning at 10am. The evening is topped off with the second night of the Rock & Run Music Festival, headlined by Floyd, A Tribute. The marathon, half-marathon and relay start at 6am on Sunday, March 3. All of these events will be held at Stuart Memorial Park, providing a convenient experience for all.
All participants receive as part of their entry a free 2-day pass to the Rock & Run Music Festival. New this year is the “Bibs for Bargains” program, a partnership with local businesses in downtown Stuart and Jensen Beach. Participating businesses will offer racers special promotions on food and merchandise. In lieu of a pasta dinner on Saturday night, racers can enjoy the great restaurants our downtown areas are known for.
Race participants come to Stuart from as many as 10 countries and 40 states, so our Hutchinson Island hotel partners, The Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina, Hutchinson Shores Resort – Jensen Beach and Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach are offering special rates for travelers to the area.
2019 racers are in for a special treat with the beautiful finisher medals that feature a glow-in-the-dark bright pink starfish, a palm tree bottle opener, and, since everyone who participates in any of Sunday’s races gets to run one of our bridges, finishers get to take one home with them at the top of their medal.
For participants who want even more of a challenge than the marathon or half marathon, the Treasure Coast Challenge Series is a perfect way to get in some additional racing, and have some fun. The Challenge Series includes the following local 5K and 10K events: Fleet Feet Run for Your Heart on February 9; Felix A Williams Elementary “Pi Day” 5K on February 22, and the City of Stuart Sailfish Sprint on March 2. The Challenge Weekend consists of running one of the Sailfish Sprint races as well as either the half or full marathon. Finishers receive their marathon / half marathon medal and individual glow-in-the-dark pink starfish pins for the other races they complete.
Finally, a primary reason for the Marathon is to support local and national charities. Over its first five years, the marathon has raised more than $140,000 for participating charities. The 2019 race will be helping the following charities to enhance their programming: Diabetes Research Institute, Helping People Succeed, Florida Oceanographic Society, YMCA of the Treasure Coast, ME’s Team, Elev8Hope, Martin County Council on Aging, Nala’s New Life Rescue and New Horizons of the Treasure Coast.
To learn more about all the events of The Marathon of the Treasure Coast, to register, volunteer, donate or become a sponsor, visit www.treasurecoastmarathon.com