I’m so excited about being an in-kind media sponsor for the 15th Annual Taste Of The Race and Seaside School Half Marathon, as my children attended this charter school many years ago and received the best education and wonderful mentoring from community leaders. Though many have piggybacked by hosting races on 30A, the Seaside School was the first, and is the school’s main fundraiser. Back in the day, we parents had pasta night for the racers, but now, local chefs share their talents and heavy hitters like Emeril Lagasse bring in culinary forces to offer support too.

With that, get ready, set and race to help support the Seaside School! The three-day race weekend includes Taste of the Race pre-party on Friday, the Seaside School Race Expo on Saturday and culminates with the 15th annual Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K Run on Sunday.

Taste of the Race presented by Chef Emeril Lagasse and Visit South Walton is on Friday, March 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Seaside’s Lyceum Hall. Participants can pick up packets enjoy cuisine from some of the Gulf Coast’s top chefs, fine wines, craft beer and spirits, listen to live music and get a sneak peak at the silent auction.

All VIP guests will have a special opportunity to take a photo with Chef Emeril Lagasse and also will receive a special gift from Chef Emeril Lagasse. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Following the VIP reception, VIP guests will be provided entrance into the general admission event. Race registration packet pickup will be available.

Attendees to the general admission event will join Chef Emeril Lagasse in person and enjoy cuisine from two of Emeril’s famous restaurants along with some of the Gulf Coast’s top chefs and restaurants such as Great Southern Café, The Bay, Stinky’s Fish Camp, Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant and others.

Enjoy complimentary fine wine from Wine World, craft spirits from Buffalo Trace, and craft beer from Grayton Beer Company while listening to live music.

The festivities continue on Saturday, March 4 with the Seaside School Race Expo from noon to 6 p.m. on the Seaside Lyceum lawn, where guests can pick up race registration, browse a vendor expo and bid in a silent auction.

The Seaside School Half Marathon race, presented by Vera Bradley, begins at the Seaside Post Office on Sunday, March 5 at 7 a.m. and the 5K Run at 7:25 a.m. Silent auction bidding will remain open up until 11:30 a.m. All finishers receive a designer Vera Bradley tote. Half marathoners receive custom finisher’s medallion, and both races provide a moisture-wicking race shirt, and coveted goody bag.

Runners Awards will enjoy a post-race lunch catered by Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar, 45 Central Wine Bar and Grayton Beer Company with live music by the Forrest William’s Band in the Seaside Amphitheater beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“This is such a fun weekend for such a deserving cause,” says Alicia Butler, director of Seaside School Foundation, which produces the race. “Whether you are one of our veteran racers or are a new participant, we have lots of family friendly festive fun in store for everyone. There is no doubt that our 15th year is going to be the best yet!”

Tickets to Taste of the Race are $300 for VIP admission, which opens at 6 p.m. and $99 for general admission from 7 to 9 p.m. Race registration is $125 for the Half Marathon and $95 for the 5K. Additional online registration fees may apply. Space is limited; advance registration for both races is required.

Registration for the Half Marathon or 5K race does not include entry into the Taste of the Race with Chef Emeril Lagasse nor does registration for the Taste of the Race include entry into the Half Marathon or 5K race.

The race is produced by Seaside School Foundation. Proceeds from the weekend’s festivities benefit Seaside School, Inc., a small tuition-free neighborhood public charter school serving students in South Walton, as well as all of Walton County The Seaside School is one charter school serving students on two campuses: Seaside Neighborhood School (grades 5-8) and Seacoast Collegiate High School (grades 9-12).

Taste of the Race is an outdoor evening festivity and will be held rain or shine in a heated tent, under the big top. Race registration packet pickup will be available. Event details are subject to change.

The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K Run is made possible by the generous support from numerous local individuals, businesses, parents, students, and school staff.

For tickets to Taste of the Race or to register for the Seaside School Half Marathon and 5K Run, visit runseasidefl.com. Follow the event on Facebook (/SeasideSchoolHalfMarathon) and on Twitter and Instagram (@runseasidefl).

For more information on Seaside School, visit www.seasideschool.net.

ABOUT SEASIDE SCHOOL, INC.

Established in 1996, Seaside School, Inc. is one of Florida’s first public charter schools located in Seaside, Florida. Seaside School is one charter school serving students on two campuses: Seaside Neighborhood School (grades 5-8) and Seacoast Collegiate High School (grades 9-12). Seaside School recently was honored by the Florida Department of Education as a “pioneer charter school.” Thanks to a dedicated staff, involved parents, and the support of local businesses and community members, Seaside School is consistently ranked one of the top performing schools in the state of Florida, recognized at the national and state levels for academic achievements. Seaside School is funded in part by Seaside School Foundation, Inc. which produces the highly anticipated annual Seaside School Half Marathon and 5K Run each spring.

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