The 21st Annual Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K was a huge success, with thousands of runners from all over the country coming together on February 19th, 2023 in Seaside to support The Seaside School Inc.
- More than $600,000 was raised through the Seaside School Race Weekend efforts, with 100% of the funds raised benefiting the Seaside School Foundation.
The Seaside School Inc. is a tuition-free, public charter school serving students across Walton County in grades 5 through 12. It is one of the first and oldest operating public charter schools in Florida and was recently ranked #1 combination public charter school in Florida.
Patrick McCarthy, President of the Seaside School Foundation, emphasized the importance of the money raised during Race Weekend, saying, “The students that we serve in 5th through 12th grades rely heavily on this annual fundraising event, and without the race and the support of the community, we would not be able to provide our students with the unique learning experience they receive at our school.”
The charity race weekend started with the annual race pre-party, Taste of the Race, on Friday, February 17th. The event was hosted by Tom Glavine, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Braves’ pitcher, and the Corchis Family, owners of Amici 30A Italian Kitchen and Amigo’s 30A Mexican Kitchen restaurants.
Nearly 700 party-goers attended the Seaside party, where 18 local chefs competed for top culinary awards. The Shrimp Shack, Team Dawson Group, won the coveted Chef’s Choice Award, Jackacudas, Chef Orion Cordoves, won the People’s Choice Award, and Shunk Gulley, Chef Tyler, won the Judge’s Choice Award.
On Race Day, the half marathon male champion was Derek Bovard, 37, of Freeport, FL, finishing the race in 1:15:46.19. The women’s half marathon winner was Katie Sherron, 41, of Tallahassee, FL, with a time of 1:19:24.6.
- In the 5K race, Drew Beroset, 10, of Pensacola, FL, won the male division with a time of 17:01.72, and Caroline Couch, 15, of Tallahassee, FL, was the women’s 5K winner with a time of 19:23.56.
Teresa Horton, Executive Director of the Seaside Schools Foundation, expressed her gratitude towards the community of runners, supporters, volunteers, students, and staff who made Race Weekend possible, saying, “The participants of Race Weekend also provide a welcome boost to our local restaurants, boutiques, and accommodations during what’s typically a slower time of year. Race Weekend truly benefits our entire community.”