Wellen Park to host St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon and 5K run March 19

VENICE, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2023) – Wellen Park is introducing its inaugural half marathon to the annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K run Sunday, March 19. The 13.1-mile course is certified by USA Track & Field.

Both races start and finish at Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen, with an awards ceremony recognizing the top three male and female finishers in each age group, best male and female overall winners, male and female grand masters, male and female masters, male and female senior grand masters and male and female veterans’ grand masters. Runners and attendees will also enjoy live music from Solis Hall’s outdoor stage, green beer, mimosas and food.

“We are thrilled to host our first half marathon and offer long-distance runners another local qualifying event,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “As a USATF-certified course, the Wellen Park half marathon allows runners to compare their performance to other races and qualify for larger national events.”

The half marathon is open to runners 15 and older and starts at 7:30 a.m. The 5K run at 7:45 a.m., is open to all ages of runners and walkers, with strollers and leashed dogs permitted. The half marathon and the 5K have also been cleared for disabled runners.

Entry fees are $80 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K. Entrants receive a dri-fit performance race shirt (register by March 12 to guarantee size) and a finisher medal.

Registration and event details, such as race packet pick-up, are available at wellenpark.com/events/st-patricks-day-half-marathon-5k.

The St. Patrick’s Day 5K, now in its second year, kicked off Wellen Park’s new race series in 2022 and was a great success, according to race director Patrick Vasquez of Beach Bum Timing. With several half marathons canceled in late 2022 due to Hurricane Ian, he expects a good turnout for Wellen Park’s inaugural race.

“Wellen Park has been planning a larger race and the St. Patrick’s Day 5K was the right opportunity,” said Vasquez. “Runners always appreciate a nice environment and both courses pass lakes with the grand hurrah of the finish in Downtown Wellen.”

A portion of race proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of Southwest Florida, the local chapter of a national nonprofit youth development program combining an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and a healthy lifestyle for pre-teen girls.

“Wellen Park is a popular destination for running groups and pedestrians because of our network of trails,” said Severance. “We look forward to introducing Downtown Wellen to our running, cycling, and walking community.”

Mattamy Homes and new Downtown Wellen tenants Florida Lakes Spa and Florida Lakes Vein Center are the Platinum Sponsors for the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon and 5K run. AMC Contracting, Inc., Capstan Financial Consulting Group, Lennar, Willis Smith Construction and Tropia at Wellen Park are Gold Sponsors. The DeMoya Group, Stillwell at Wellen Park and Streetsense are Silver Sponsors for the event. Additional sponsorships are still available by contacting Wellen Park Events Coordinator Elizabeth Barroso at [email protected].

With the first businesses opening spring 2023, Downtown Wellen is the region’s new must-visit central gathering and social hub for dining, shopping, entertainment and outdoor recreation. The pedestrian-friendly downtown emphasizes connections to nature and community and celebrates a waterfront vibe with Grand Lake providing a scenic backdrop and opportunities for fishing and paddle sports. Visitors can enjoy time on the water and along downtown’s 2.8-mile lakefront trail with bicycle, e-bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals at Kind Vibes Outfitters.

Downtown Wellen’s thoughtfully designed spaces create unique outdoor experiences – from intimate parks and an alfresco living room shaded by decades-old relocated live oak trees to larger locales like the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events, and the lakefront fountain and splashpad. Solis Hall, an elegant rental venue, features an outdoor stage, a lakefront patio and an easy flow from inside spaces to neighboring alfresco destinations.

To learn more about living at Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla., open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact:

Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, [email protected]