New Year’s day of 2017 I went to the Flamingo 5K Beach Run at New Smyrna Beach. The registration started at 8am shortly after sunrise at the
Flagler Avenue Beach approach. Cars hadn’t driven on the beach yet. This 5K
race, like no other, started at 9am and took place along the beautiful
hard-packed beach.
Runners, walkers, and joggers participated in this
chip-timed race. Medals in 84 categories and two overall plaques were awarded, as
well as prizes for the best costumes. The best costumes I saw consisted of huge pink inflatable tires around women’s waists along with elegant flamingo heads that could be manipulated like puppets. There was no excuse not to break out the pink boas. Finisher medals were awarded to the first 500 runners.
To celebrate the New Year and get runners started on their resolutions, the first 300 runners each received a key. At
the post-race social, the keys could possibly unlock one of 10 new Beach Cruiser
bicycles and if the key opened the lock, then the runner kept the bike.
Race proceeds benefited Southern Stone Charities.