The Wellen Park Half Marathon and 5K Race is back on March 21, and this year, runners get a brand new, officially certified 13.1-mile course.
It’s the fourth year for the event, and Hotwire Communications is presenting again. Wellen Park keeps putting healthy and active living front and center; this race is another big piece of that.
Both races kick off at Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen. Half marathoners start at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K right behind at 7:45 a.m. Walkers, strollers, and friendly dogs are all ready, and everyone’s welcome.
“This race has really become a tradition for a lot of our residents and neighbors,” says Rick Severance, Wellen Park’s president. “People set early goals and use our 40-plus miles of trails to keep up with their training and routines.”
Anyone 13 or older can sign up for the half marathon—$50 for ages 13 to 18, $75 for 19 and up. The 5K is $20 for participants 18 and under, $35 for everyone else. Part of the proceeds and all donations go straight to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.
After the race, stick around for food, drinks, and the awards ceremony. If you need more details or want to register, check out runsignup.com/Race/FL/Venice/WellenParkHalfMarathonand5K.
The new half-marathon course is flat, fully paved, and clearly marked—so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. The race organizers encourage spectators to line the course and cheer for the runners.
Wellen Park is one of the top-selling communities in the country, known for bringing people together and making fitness a priority. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities here, with lakes, parks, trails, and plenty of green space.
“Walking, cycling, running—it’s part of daily life here,” says Severance. “People use the trails all the time, whether they’re meeting up with neighbors or just squeezing in a workout.”
And there’s more coming. In March, Wellen Park is opening the 2.5-mile Buttonwood Trail, the 3-mile Oakheart Trail, and Greenway Park, a brand-new linear trail. More places to get outside, move, and connect.
