Details Announced for 2017 Daytona Beach Half Marathon

It’s all about the bling.  And for runners in the 2017 Daytona Beach Half Marathon, taking place Feb. 5, there’ll be plenty of sparkle to show off.

Organizers of the annual race have unveiled the design for next year’s event.  Measuring 4 ½ inches around and 3.5 millimeters thick, the half marathon medal features the familiar red running shoes dangling in front of a cresting wave and incorporates an iconic image of Daytona International Speedway and crossed checkered flags familiar to NASCAR fans.  New for 2017 is a special Speedway Challenge medal for the 1,000 competitors who sign up to compete in both the half marathon and a 5k.  There’s also a medal for runners who participate in the 3.1 Mile Lap the Track 5k.  Speedway challenge runners will come away with all three medals around their necks, as well as a specially designed race jacket.  Half marathon, relay and Speedway Challenge competitors will receive high quality running shirts, a full sized beach towel and other souvenirs to take home.

"We’re building a first class annual event," said Jim Dinneen, Volusia County Manager. "The medals are important collector items for marathon runners.  I think the medal design for 2017 is unique and worthy of a showcase."

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon is co-owned by Daytona International Speedway and Volusia County Government with support from the area’s destination marketing organizations.     

Proceeds benefit the Marine Science Center, a turtle and sea bird rehabilitation and education center in Ponce Inlet.

Registration opened July 1 for the 2017 Daytona Beach Half Marathon that’s set for Sunday, Feb. 5, three weeks prior to the 59th annual DAYTONA 500, NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race. Regular registration, which runs until Jan. 31, is $85 for the Half Marathon, $75 for the Half Marathon Relay, $35 for the 3.1-mile Lap the Track, and $145 for the Speedway Challenge. To register go online to:  daytonabeachhalf.com

Sponsored by Brown and Brown Insurance, the 2017 events include a half marathon, a two-person half marathon relay, a 3.1-mile (5K) lap the track and a new challenge for runners who compete in both the half marathon and the 3.1-mile Lap the Track. Called the Speedway Challenge and limited to the first 1,000 runners to register, participants will run the 13.1 mile half marathon (7:30 a.m. start) and the 3.1 mile 5K (10:30 a.m. start).  Speedway Challenge finishers will receive medals for the half marathon and 5K, as well as a third medal for completing the prestigious Speedway Challenge.

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon features a breathtaking course that takes runners from the historic asphalt (flat surface) of Daytona International Speedway east to a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean atop the International Speedway Boulevard highrise bridge to the sparkling, white, hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach and then back to the start/finish line inside the iconic motorsports facility.

Some of the race features include:

• Course marshals dressed in race-themed costumes
• Pace teams Race-themed finisher medals
• Race-themed awards for overall, masters, and age group winners
• Beach towel with finish line flags and race logo (half marathon, relay and Challenge participants only)
• Best "race" costume contest during awards ceremony Post-race breakfast and libations

For more information, visit daytonabeachhalf.com.