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Health & Wellness | Living Healthy
Health
&
Wellness
Run for the
Redfish
9
The Beach Chamber
is proud to present the 4th
Annual Run for the Redfish
on December 1, 2012, a certified
course featuring a half
marathon, 5K run and kid’s
fun run. This event brings
awareness about our coastal
redfish and its habitat. This
year’s run will benefit Ocean
Conservancy.
“It is our collective responsibility
to protect and conserve
the marine environment
of the Gulf,” maintains Paul
Wohlford, co-creator of Run
for the Redfish.
Everyone’s invited to come
and enjoy the festivities. The
race starts at 8:00 AM for the
half marathon, 8:30 AM for
the 5K run, and 10:00 AM for
the kid’s fun run. It starts and
ends in Pier Park and takes
runners on an out-and-back
route that unfolds entirely
along Front Beach Road.
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Where Do the Runners
Come From?
The turnaround point is
prior to Carillon Beach. Once
runners hit the turnaround
point, they begin running
back along the route they’ve
just run, back to Pier Park.
Afterward, everyone enjoys
an exuberant after party at
Margaritaville. Last year, over
600 racers participated.
Cost is $45 for the half
marathon and $30 for the
5K run. Kids under 12 run
free in the kid’s fun run. All
runners must pre-register;
visit RunfortheRedfish.
com. Registration forms and
The runners come from all over. Last year they came from
twenty-two states and two countries. A college cross country
team from Kansas came and competed as well. It was a
pretty even split between half marathoners and 5K runners.
We had many first time runners. We promoted Run for the
Redfish through running clubs in the southeast, and word of
mouth now, as we have a great reputation.
payment can also be mailed
to the Panama City Beach
Chamber of Commerce, 309
R. Jackson Blvd., Ste. 101,
Panama City Beach, FL 32407.
For more information, contact
the Beach Chamber at
(850) 235-1159.
Race sponsors include Pier
Park, The Resort Collection
of Panama City Beach,
Ocean Conservancy, the Bay
County Tourist Development
Council, Beach TV and
Margaritaville; sponsorships
are still available.
Q & A with
Paul Wohlford
Co-creator,
Run for the
Redfish
How was
Run for
the
Redfish
first created?
I am an avid runner, and
wanted to put on a race
that was all about runners.
A small group of four local
runners, including myself,
started this race four years
ago.
Why the name?
I like to fish for Redfish, and
I also want to protect the
coastal areas for my kids and
future generations. I wanted
to produce an event, rather
than just compete in an
event.
How did you get
into running?
A good friend challenged
me and said I couldn’t go
out and run a mile. The
very next day I did it, and
within three months I was
doing half marathons. I did
my first marathon last year
in Key West, the Halfway to
Marathon (Key) Marathon.
How big is the race?
There are between 600 and
700 runners annually, and
we plan to keep growing
that number every year.
This race is all about the
runners who come out to
enjoy all the fun, the great
weather, the after-party at
Margaritaville, and the best
race shirt going! Of course,
running along The World’s
Most Beautiful Beaches isn’t
too bad either.
For more information and
to register for this run, go to
RunfortheRedfish.com.
18 THE CIRCUIT September/October 2012