SoWal Guide For 2023 Seaside Race Weekend Feb 17- 19

Celebrating the 21st year of racing, The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K is open for registration for the Feb17-19, 2023 race weekend and cements its spot as one of longest running events and top fundraisers in Northwest Florida.

The charitable cause, which draws participants from all over the country, has helped fund The Seaside School, Inc., one of the first and now the oldest operating public charter schools in the state of Florida.

“It’s an exciting time for The Seaside School, as we are the #1 ranked combination charter school in Florida and, in partnership with NWFSC, working to expand the Seacoast Collegiate High School campus and program offerings,” said Teresa Horton, executive director of the Seaside School Foundation. “We are so excited to welcome runners near and far to the Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K in 2023!”

The three-day charity Race Weekend kicks off with the coastal cuisine event Taste of the Race on Friday night, then proceeds to a fun-for-all-ages Race Expo on Saturday, and culminates on Sunday morning with the running of the half marathon and 5K along the iconic Highway 30A starting and finishing in Seaside, Fla.

"The town of Seaside has a longstanding history hosting the Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K now for 21 years," said Vice President and General Manager of Seaside Community Development Corporation, Pam Avera. "As an iconic New Urbanism town that celebrates vitality, walkability and a thriving downtown filled with unique merchants, it's only fitting that we have the opportunity to showcase a premier race event which ultimately benefits one of our most beloved members of our community, the Seaside School, Inc. Watching the school successfully expand to a 5th through 12th program and rank as one of the top schools in the state alongside the success of the town of Seaside has been a pleasure, and only adds to our town founders Robert and Daryl Davis’ vision for Seaside."

This year’s race will feature an overall theme, to be voted on by race registrants and social media followers. The chosen theme will spice up race festivities, particularly for runners wishing to dress out, liven up their run or participate in team entries. Theme choices include “Disco Dash,” “Superhero Sprint,” and “Rockstar Run.”  To vote, simply visit runseasidefl.com/ or facebook.com/SeasideSchoolFoundation. The theme will be announced across all social media platforms on October 1st, 2022.  [see update below].

100% of the funds raised from the race weekend benefit The Seaside School Foundation, which supports the operating budget for Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School. The Seaside School, Inc. is tuition-free, public charter school serving students across Walton County. Last year, the 2022 race raised proceeds totaling more than $700,000.

“This fundraiser has become a part of our school culture, an opportunity for our students to put ‘The Seaside Way’ into action,” said Ms. Kim Mixson, Chief Academic Officer of The Seaside School, Inc., and principal of Seaside Neighborhood School. “Our students, parents and staff look forward to being a part of race weekend every year and we are truly grateful for the impact that it has on our School.”

 
Registration cost for the 5K is $95 and the half marathon is $125. Presented by Visit South Walton, registration opens August 25th.

A $20 discount is available to military personnel and first responders with proof of active military identification cards, honorable discharge papers or police/firefighter/EMT identification cards. Please email documents before registering to race@runseasidefl.com to receive a discount code. This discount is not redeemable for cash value.

Race registrants will receive the following items with their registration: a Vera Bradley® Grand Tote in Plum Pansies, a virtual goody bag full of surprises, an iconic race shirt designed by Billie Gaffrey, a customized playlist and half marathon finishers will receive our unique finisher medal.

 
WEEKEND EVENT DETAILS
The 21st annual charity Race Weekend will kick-off on Friday, February 17th with an evening under the stars at the official race pre-party, Taste of the Race. Party-goers can attend this delicious Seaside party that features local chefs and restaurateurs competing for the top culinary awards including the coveted Chef’s Choice Award, last year won by Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs operated by the Dawson Group, and the People’s Choice Award, won by The Red Bar.

 On Saturday, February 18th, runners are invited to pick-up their race packets at the Seaside Neighborhood School and enjoy the Expo taking place in the Seaside Lyceum.
The race weekend comes to a pinnacle with the half marathon (13.1 miles) starting at 6:45 AM and the 5K (3.1 miles) at 7:05 AM, on Sunday, February 19th, 2023. Both races – the half marathon and 5K – start in the town of Seaside, Florida with an out-and-back run along the coastal dune lakes of Scenic Highway 30A.

“The race is the most significant event in the life of our school, as it provides the necessary financial support for the incredible opportunities that Seacoast students participate in,” said Caroline Beer, Seacoast Collegiate High School student and Student Government Association co-president. “We anticipate this year’s race as another chance to come together with the younger students from Seaside Neighborhood School to make an impact in our community and keep our schools thriving for decades to come.”

Registration options can be found at www.runseasidefl.com.

 
ABOUT THE SEASIDE SCHOOL HALF MARATHON & 5K
The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K is the annual charity race fundraiser that supports the Seaside Schools Foundation. Every year, the gap between the Seaside School standard of excellence and the funding provided by the state seems to grow more and more. There are either funding cuts or the schools simply want more for the students. In any case, the shortfall is significant each year. Participation and support of the annual fundraisers provides middle school and high school students in Walton County, Florida the opportunity to participate in elective classes for gardening, music, creative and culinary art, an award-winning robotics program, advanced placement classes as well as career-readiness industry certification courses.

 
ABOUT THE SEASIDE SCHOOLS
Founded in 1996, The Seaside School, Inc. was one of the first and is now the oldest operating public charter schools in the state of Florida and recently claiming the title #1 ranked combination charter school in the State of Florida for the 2021-2022 school year based on the Florida Department of Education School Grade Program.

Its original goal was simple – create a school to address the need for better middle school education in Walton County – and it hasn’t stopped since. Seaside School now has nearly 400 students across two campuses serving grades 5th through 12th. Seaside Neighborhood School serves 5th through 8th grades and is located in the iconic beach town of Seaside, Florida. Located on the campus of nearby Northwest Florida State College, Seacoast Collegiate High School serves 9th through 12th grades offering students the ability to graduate high school with an associate college degree.

The vision of Seaside School is to maintain a small school with faculty knowledgeable about each student’s abilities and challenges, so that they can offer increased support to each student to meet those challenges and increase their skills to perform successfully in all academic areas. The Board of Directors seeks to sustain an educational community where an emphasis on academic excellence is complemented by the concern for each learner’s personal growth and intellectual, aesthetic and psychological development. The curriculum is developmentally responsive – actively engaging students in learning skills in context, integrative – directing students to connect learning to daily lives, and exploratory – enabling students to discover their abilities, interests, learning styles, and ways that they can make contributions to society.

Update 10-1-22

Drum roll please. . . and the theme for the 2023 Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday, Feb. 19th is ROCKSTAR RUN!

Come rock n’ roll with us in @seasidefl and start planning those stage worthy costumes now! And big surprise. . . We’re going to have prizes this year for team participation and spirit, so stay tuned!

Register TODAY at runseasidefl.com!