Highlights
With the perfect setting of ocean breezes, palm trees and one of the most famous roads in America, the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon is one of three marathons held in South Florida over a three-month period and Broward County's first certified marathon. Athletes from throughout South Florida, more than 40 states and 12 foreign countries compete annually in what has become the new signature event for the coastal area. The marathon and half marathon was started by former sports executive Steve Tebon of Boca Raton, Fla., and Exclusive Sports Marketing, producers of the event, in 2006. It is held each year in February on President's Day Weekend. The 26.2-mile course is one of the fastest and scen...
With the perfect setting of ocean breezes, palm trees and one of the most famous roads in America, the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon is one of three marathons held in South Florida over a three-month period and Broward County's first certified marathon. Athletes from throughout South Florida, more than 40 states and 12 foreign countries compete annually in what has become the new signature event for the coastal area. The marathon and half marathon was started by former sports executive Steve Tebon of Boca Raton, Fla., and Exclusive Sports Marketing, producers of the event, in 2006. It is held each year in February on President's Day Weekend. The 26.2-mile course is one of the fastest and scenic in the state. Because it is certified, it is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The starting line is in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The start and staging area is in the front of the Museum of Discovery and Science on Himmarshee Street (Southwest Second Street), allowing for greater starting line accessibility and ample parking at several area garages. Athletes run past the Broward County Performing Arts Center, New River and Riverwalk before heading to Andrews Avenue, where they will turn right and head toward the Andrews Avenue Bridge before a quick left onto Las Olas Boulevard. The tree-lined street with trendy shops and restaurants, palatial homes and yachts on canals is a fast straightaway to A1A with two bridges. When runners reach A1A, they head north along the oceanfront road through Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Pompano Beach. The course is lined with live entertainment including local groups, high school bands, cheerleaders and school mascots along with water stops. A health and fitness expo with vendors, clinics, demonstrations and speakers is also held during marathon weekend. The city's garages and area can accommodate 15,000 runners. The marathon, still in its infant stages, had less than 5,000 participants in the marathon and half marathon its first two years. Race officials are working on an improved busing system for the point-to-point course to be able to transport more runners from the finish line at South Beach Park back to the museum. There are also post-race parties at the starting and finish lines which has become a boon for downtown bars and restaurants along Himmarshee. With no prize money, the Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon is considered more of a "peoples race" with hometown favorites and masters runners race favorites each year.
Displaying items 1-7 of 7
» View ktla.com items only
-
Return of the running (and swimming and biking) man
Steve Tebon helped create the triathlon boom in South Florida, and then got out of the business in 2006. Now, he's back, bringing a swim-bike-run competition to West Palm Beach. A new triathlon, called Motivation Man, will debut June 2 at Waterfront...
Tags: Sports, Meyer Amphitheatre, Lance Armstrong, Cycling, Triathlon
-
Engineer sheds 60 pounds to go from couch potato to A1A Marathon champ
Two years ago Tom Beekhuysen was so overweight and out of shape he was embarrassed while trying to ski with his kids. "I had to sit on my butt and scoot down the whole mountain. It was pathetic," he said. That was 60 pounds and many miles ago. Now 48,...Tags: Sports, Running, Kevin Brown, Science and Technology, Road Running
-
Patriotism energizes flag-carrying runner in A1A Marathon
No one stood out more among 4,540 runners Sunday on A1A than John Pyle. Running 26.2 miles while clutching a 3-by-5 American flag tends to attract attention. For Pyle, it's not unusual. He has been toting Old Glory around marathon courses for years....Tags: Key West, Road Running, Fort Lauderdale, Cooper City, Miramar
-
Former Marine on fast track to Paralympic dream after wheelchair win in A1A Marathon
Tim Conner emerged unscathed from six years in the Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in Iraq. The event that changed the course of his life came after all that during the 2010 motocross national championships in Texas. A hole at the base of a jump...Tags: Running, Sports, Motocross, Road Running, Deerfield Beach
-
|Story
-
Crime victim tells her story — no pity, please
She could dwell on the memory of the gun cocking behind her head. Or the sick feeling that overcame her when she saw her leg swing "like a rag doll"—the moment she knew she was paralyzed.
But Christine Kent, 46, isn't the type to host a pity party....Tags: Facebook, Murder, Crime Victims, Crime, Law and Justice, Television
-
A1A Marathon: Paralyzed crime victim finds purpose racing handcrank wheelchair
The man who fired the shot that paralyzed her was sentenced to life in prison last October. Two months later, Christine Kent found new direction in life by completing her first marathon in a handcrank wheelchair. "I was only going to do the half...Tags: Sports, HealthSouth Corp, Hospitals and Clinics, Health, ING Group
May 19, 2012
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Feb 19, 2012
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Feb 19, 2012
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Feb 19, 2012
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 26, 2011
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Aug 3, 2010
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Feb 19, 2010
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Original site for A1A Marathon topic gallery.
