SOUTHWEST FLORIDA STATE PARKS HOST REAL FLORIDA RUN SERIES

Florida DEP Banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA STATE PARKS HOST REAL FLORIDA RUN SERIES

~Seven runs at seven different state parks over seven weeks brings friends and families together to enjoy park activities and promote healthy living~

Lake Manatee State Park Run

Lake Manatee State Park will host one of the remaining six races on March 29

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service is pleased to host the Real Florida Run Series in seven state parks. The Real Florida Run Series promotes being healthy, while also allowing residents and visitors to enjoy Florida’s gold medal award winning state parks system.

Sponsored in part by Florida State Parks, Endurance Sports Timing and Fit2Run, the Real Florida Run Series provides seven different 5K fun runs in seven weeks. The runs will take place every Saturday through April 12, except March 9, which is a Sunday. The Series will conclude with its final race on April 12. Times for each race will vary. The first race was Saturday at Collier Seminole State Park in Naples.

"The Florida Park System encourages people of all ages to experience the vast natural, cultural and historic resources our park system offers," said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. "Participating in a run at a park is a great way to get into nature, get some exercise and enjoy the warm Southwest Florida weather."

Participants can register for each race individually or receive a discount if the runner registers for four races all at once. Discounts are also given to families of four registering together for one race. There will be awards for the top female runner, male runner and all participants at each race. Those adventurers who participate in five or more races will be awarded special awards based on the number of races they participate in.

 

The events will take place:

 

March 9
Marsh Madness 5K
Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park
12301 Burnt Store Road
Punta Gorda

 

March 15
Gopher Tortoise 5K
Paynes Creek Historic State Park
888 Lake Branch Road
Bowling Green

 

March 22
St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run
Koreshan State Historic Site
3800 Corkscrew Road
Estero

 

March 29
Tails and Trails 5K
Lake Manatee State Park
20007 State Road 64
Bradenton

 

April 5
Fakahatchee Frenzy 5K
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park 
137 Coastline Drive
Copeland

 

April 12
Spring Fling 5K
Little Manatee River State Park
215 Lightfoot Road
Wimauma

 

 

Click here to register online for the races or fill out the flier and send it to Arielle Poulos at the Department’s South District Office, located at 2295 Victoria Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Registration fees are $20 for pre-registration and $30 for one day race registration. Families of four can register together for one race for $70, as well as individuals who choose to register for four races all at once. All proceeds go to benefiting our gold medal award-winning Florida State Parks System. For questions regarding the run series, contact Arielle Poulos at 239.344.5686 or Arielle.Poulos@dep.state.fl.us.