Calendar

There will be no "live" orientation program on race weekend other than Friday's helpful "Experts Clinic" update and best practices review. Instead, be sure to view the comprehensive online orientation video. It includes information that is vitally important for all runners, teams and crew members to understand.   

Friday, May 14, 2027

Packet pick-up under the tiki hut behind the Holiday Inn in Key Largo
3:00 pm-8:00 pm:  Our traditional packet pick-up and check-in for 100-milers and 100-mile teams.  (50-milers, 50-mile teams, and 50-kilometer runners have the option to pick up here also, OR on Saturday morning prior to their respective race starts on location.)  The team captain or representative(s) must pick-up packets for all team members at one time.  This is always a terrific opportunity to see old friends and to make new ones.
Experts Clinic on Friday  Not a full "Orientation", but a session with timely information and updates. Everyone is welcome to join the live "Experts Clinic" from 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm inside the Holiday Inn.  This program will be livestreamed. Questions will be welcome from the floor.  

Photo opportunity
The starting line arch will be set up near the tiki hut at check-in on Friday to accommodate photos.  Taking pics on Saturday morning at the start line can be hectic and the arch will close for photos before the start, so take advantage of the opportunity to photograph your team or crew during daylight here.

Saturday, May 15, 2027

Start of 100-mile races, Key Largo:

The location is the Key Largo Community Park, located directly behind the "Divers Direct" shopping center immediately south of the Holiday Inn. 

5:10 am First of limited elite waves checks in for start of race.

5:15 am First of elite corrals begins

5:25 am Immediately after the elite corrals take off, runners in the 5:30 am corral are checked in and gather at the start line.  Every five minutes, the next group will be called to check in.  Remember your start time and corral number!  Team starts will be published on the website.
5:30 am First wave starts.  Additional waves will move into position and take off at subsequent 5-minute intervals.  Each group of will be a mix of team and individual runners.   

50-mile races, Marathon Garden Club, Marathon:

The race starts at the Marathon Garden Club, one block south of the Sombrero Beach Road traffic light, Bayside. Bathrooms will be available for our use.  (The large meeting room and kitchen will be closed.)  The starting area will be available for pre-race photos.

7:15 am until 8:45 am--NEW FOR 2027: Runner check-in will take place in the Marathon Garden Club parking lot. THERE IS NO RUNNER PARKING ON SITE! Park in the Winn Dixie parking lot ONLY. It is located immediately NORTH of the Sombrero Beach Road traffic light on the Ocean side of U.S. #1. Park as far from the store entrances as possible.  Do NOT park anywhere else, including the nearby Publix lot, the CVS lot or any other; park ONLY in the Winn Dixie lot.  Then walk across the highway at the light for check-in and the race start.

8:45 am:  Q&A session and update with the race director in front of the Marathon Garden Club building.
8:55 am: First wave is confirmed and enters starting corral.  Every five minutes the next group will be called to the start line.  Each corral will be a mix of individual and team runners.
9:00 am: 50-mile race starts to begin.

50-kilometer race, Big Pine Key:

The location is the "Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce" property at Mile Marker 31 in Big Pine Key.  Packet pick-up and parking for the race are on-site at the rear of the property.  Please do not block access or park directly in front of the Chamber building.  The office will be open on race day, and we are asked to minimize visits inside.  Bathrooms are open to us and located on the outside of the building to the left of the entranceway.

11:00 am until 11:50 am: Packet pick-up and check-in is open.  
11:45 am: Q&A session and update with the race director.  

11:55 am: The first wave is confirmed and enters the starting corral.  Each succeeding five minutes the next group will be called to the start line.

12:00 pm: 50-kilometer first corral takes off. 

Finish Line, Higgs Beach, Key West:

At approximately 3:30 pm, the finish line opens for all races--and the party returns!  Food will be prepared and drinks available for finishing runners, their registered crew members and registered race volunteers until the last runner crosses the line on Sunday afternoon.  Plenty of seating will be available under the big tent for finishers to relax, recover and swap stories with old and new friends.

Sunday, May 16, 2027

The finish line will be open until approximately 3:30 pm to accommodate the 32 hours (from the runner's actual start time) allowed for 100-mile runners to complete the course.  

Awards program in 2027.

10:30-1:30: Key West's own Gary Hempsey returns to play music and entertain live!
11:00 am: The Awards Presentation begins under the big tent for all 50-mile and 50-kilometer individual and team winners. 

12:00 noon:  Awards presentation begins for all 100-mile individual and team awards.
4:00 pm-7:00 pm: Unofficial After-Party downtown, location TBD.  For people staying in Key West, many gather after "official" race activities have concluded for dinner and drinks on their own prior to setting-off for a night of fun in town. First beer or glass of house wine is typically on the house; 10% discount on food selection. The 2027 location will be just off Duval Street near Mallory Square for those who want to watch the sunset at this iconic if totally touristy spot on the water!