Endless Summer 10K & 5K 2023

Short review

This is the 18th Annual...  Endless Summer 10K Cross Country and 5K Beach Run/Walk.

The 5K Run is SOLD OUT.  There are currently a few spot remaining for the 10K.  

These 2 Great Runs are presented by Don's Friends and benefit 2 Great Charities... Don's FRIENDS and Friends of Anastasia. Visit both websites listed below.  The Event is hosted by Anastasia State Park, which is a BEAUTIFUL Ocean Front State Park located in St. Augustine, Florida........Over 4 Miles of PRISTINE Ocean Front Beach.  BOTH runs have sold out IN ADVANCE, 8 YEARS IN A ROW........so Get On BOARD FAST !!

  We have a very Special Event panned for you, as our race falls on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Tragedy.  Anybody of age can remember where they were on September 11th, 2001 as they heard the news in New York.  We have a Special Commemorative Event scheduled just before and during the Endless Summer Runs 2021.  You will NOT want to miss this.  Both runs start at 7:30 - Please be ready 15 minutes early on this morning.

   Even with Covid, we were able to put on our running events in 2020....and we had a GREAT Time!!  We do plan to have both races again in 2021, so Get on Board Now!  We have added VIRTUAL RUNS for our 10K and 5K.  Any runner signing up for these VIRTUAL events will be able to run VIRTUALLY at any time,  and receive our Turtle Shirt, our Turtle Finishers Medal, and Body Pak (Pick up Only) or Tote Bag (if shipped to you).

   Ocean Front, Anastasia State Park is an active Sea Turtle nesting area.  Our very popular graphics for the Endless Summer Runs feature a New Sea Turtle graphic each year.  Our Turtle Shirts have been extremely Popular. In fact, it's the "BEST T-Shirt in Running HISTORY" (so says the artist).  Each runner will receive a Performance Tech T-shirt featuring our full-color Turtle graphic.  This year is our BEST EVER !!   In 2021 Runners also receive a very nice Body Pak (value $25.00) !   Many people sign up for this race JUST to get the T-shirt..........So, we've added the 0.0K.  The 0.0K allows individuals to purchase the race package (including the Tech Shirt and Bag) without running the races.  This opens up additional space for those who want to run the 10K or 5K.   See SIZE CHART on our website prior to ordering your shirt.  www.donsfriend.com/race-goodies

Don's Friends merged their race with Endless Summer 8 years ago and has enjoyed great success for the Runners and Both Charities.  Over $130,000.00 has been raised in the past few years.  This will be the 18th Anniversary for the Endless Summer Runs and the 12th Anniversary for Don's Friends which started their 5K Run at St. Augustine Beach Pier in 2010.  We will also have additional special gift items at the race.

This 10K (6.2 mile) run through Anastasia State Park's beach, hammock, and salt marsh takes you through some of St. Johns County's most beautiful terrain. The race begins near the Island Beach Shop and Grill with a beach loop that is followed by a long wood deck, pavement, dirt roads, and soil through the east nature trail and hammock loop. Runners will return to the pavement and then another trail as they head to the marsh loop. The last leg of the run shoots the runners back down the main park road to the finish line at the Island Beach Shop and Grill. This is a cross country run and participants must be fit to run or walk on soft sand, uneven terrain, mixed pavement types, and hills with sun exposure, heat, and humidity, etc. Please email jim@donsfriend.com if you have any questions about the race.  The 10K is for runners only due to time restraints.  If you would like to walk, please sign up for the 5K.  7:30am Start Time.

This 5K beach run/walk start line is near the Island Beach Shop and Grill (same as 10K) and is over 90% on Anastasia State Park's beautiful beach with the same finish line as the 10K.  Both the 5K and 10K are timed for a low tide.  Both Runners and Walkers are welcome for the 5K event.  7:30am Start Time.

VIRTUAL 10K & 5K - Last year, we added VIRTUAL Runs for the 5K and 10K.  Both were very Successful.  The Virtual Runs are on the Honor System.  You can run on your own schedule.  There is no need to prove your date or time.  BUT, you DO Receive the entire race packet, including our Fantastic Turtle Shirt, Quality Bag, Turtle Finishers Medal, and More !!  Choose to Pick up your packet OR have us ship it to you.  If you pick up your packet you will receive a much nicer Body Pak...value $25.00.

NEW!! 0.0K (0.0 mile)
This is for those who don't want to run but want that turtle shirt.  You do not pay the fee for the 10k or 5k, but a reduced rate to get the shirt. By signing up for the 0.0K, you keep slots open for those who want to run since the races have limited slots available.  Sleep in and pick up your shirt on Friday.  If you don't even want to pick it up on Friday, for $6 we will mail it to you.

Because of chip timing and course layout there will be less parking available in Anastasia State Park so please try to carpool.  Both runs are Chip Timed and we have a Great Finish Line Video.  The Race Video is available FREE of charge.

All runners/walkers will receive our FAMOUS Performance TECH Turtle T-Shirt. For 2021, we will also be giving a Beautiful Body Pak to each runner (value $25.00).  All runners will receive a beautiful Turtle finishers medal at the finish line.  Race Results will be posted on www.DonsFriends.com, here and at www.RaceSmith.com  

FINISHERS MEDALS: Finishers Medals featuring our Beautiful 2021 Turtle will be given to ALL that complete the 10K or 5K, at the finish line. If you are running the Virtual Runs, you will receive your Turtle Finishers Medal in your Packets.  They are GREAT !! (Note: Using a Turtle for a finishers medal is NOT an indication of your running speed :)  The Turtle is our mascot for the Endless Summer Runs.)

PACKET PICKUP
  All that have planned to pick up their packets can do so at Anastasia State Park on Friday September 10th, from 2pm to 6pm, OR on race day September 11th, from 6:30 to 8am.   Contact us before Wednesday, September 7th if you need to make other arrangements to pick up your packets.  **If packet is not picked up by race time, the packet including race shirt is forfeited, and proceeds will be donated to our 2 charities.

DONATIONS:   Your Donation will benefit two fine 5013c Charities.  Please visit our websites shown below.
1) The Don Ausman Foundation - Promoting College Students to use their vacation breaks to help others in need. -      See: www.DonsFRIEND.com
2) Friends of Anastasia - Helping and supporting our beautiful Anastasia State Park.                                                        See: www.FriendsofAnastasia.org

RACE WEBSITE and Info on Don's FRIENDS visit: www.DonsFRIEND.com

Race Director:  Jim Wauldron -    email:  Jim@DonsFriend.com - 904-687-5939