Grab your running shoes and bunny ears, Easter Beach Run coming soon

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·4 min read

DAYTONA BEACH — You're probably thinking a lot more right now about roses, boxes of chocolates and romantic dinners than jelly beans, Easter egg hunts and sunrise services. But it's not too soon to start getting ready for the annual Easter Beach Run.

Registration is already open for this year’s event, which will be held on April 8, the day before Easter.

The popular annual event was cancelled in 2020 and again in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it returned last spring.

More than 550 runners of all ages hit the sand for last year's Easter Beach Run in Daytona Beach. The annual event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it's back again this year and will be held April 8.
More than 550 runners of all ages hit the sand for last year's Easter Beach Run in Daytona Beach. The annual event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it's back again this year and will be held April 8.

If you're thinking about running or walking in the family-friendly event, which also has kid-sized competitions, or if you just want to come and watch people trotting along the sand in bunny ears, here's five things you will want to know.

1. It is the oldest footrace in Florida

First a few historical fun facts: The playful, Easter-themed beach run was established in 1967 by the city of Daytona Beach. The race was first held on Easter Sunday to provide an activity for visiting college students.

More than 55 years later, Daytona's Easter Beach Run is now the oldest footrace still being held in the state of Florida.

Read more:They do: Engaged couple win 52nd Easter Beach Run as 657 participate

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Last year's Easter races:Easter Beach Run in Daytona draws runners of all ages for 2-, 4-mile courses on the sand

2. There are several races

Several different races are being held the day of the Easter Beach Run, all of which will start on the beach just south of the Daytona Beach Pier.

The main event is the 4-mile run, which is professionally chip-timed and begins at 4 p.m. A 2-mile competition that offers participants the choice of running or walking also begins at 4 p.m. Both races have out-and-back courses that run along the waves.

Races for kids begin at 3:30 p.m. There will be a 50-yard race for children ages 3-5; 100-yard competition for 6-year-olds and 7-year-olds; and a 1/4-mile race for kids who are 8 or 9.

3. Plenty of awards and medals will be given out

Every child who runs in one of the kiddie races will receive a participant medal. "Finisher" medals will also be given to the first 800 registered runners and walkers who complete the 2-mile or 4-mile races.

The top three overall male and overall female participants in each age group for the 2-mile and 4-mile race will receive a custom charm. The overall top male and female 4-mile finishers will receive an engraved Tissot watch courtesy of the Easter Beach Run official time sponsor Tom Cook Jeweler.

Award ceremonies that recognize the overall male and female winners in the 2-mile and 4-mile races, and the top finishers in various age categories, will be held at the Bandshell following each race. Results will be available online beginning race day.

4. How much are race entry fees?

The 2-mile and 4-mile race registration fee is $35 for adults age 59 and younger. The fee is $30 for those 60 and older.

After March 31, the 2-mile and 4-mile race fee jumps up to $40 for adults 59 and younger. It increases to $35 for participants 60 and older.

For kids age 9 and younger, the 2-mile and 4-mile race registration fee is $20. The fee is also $20 for the 50-yard, 100-yard and 1/4 mile kids' races.

Children who want to run in both a kids' race and the 2-mile or 4-mile race will need to register for both and pay $20 for each competition.

Race day registration will be available. Pre-race and race day packet pickup information will be available soon.

5. Where you can park on race day

Parking will be available in the Ocean Center garage across from the Ocean Walk Shoppes on State Road A1A. Additional parking will be available in city of Daytona Beach lots, metered spots on city streets and private lots on A1A near Main Street.

For more information, log onto https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/DaytonaBeach/EasterBeachRun or call (386) 671-8250.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach's annual Easter Beach run is set for April 8