It was a successful weekend for US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, the new producers of the Palm Beaches Marathon & Runfest. The group acquired the race in May. The organization, which produces some of the largest road races in South Florida, including the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, sold out its slots for both the full and half marathon before the start at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.
Both the men’s winner Joe Kappel and the women’s winner Charisse Winter had never won a marathon. Both Floridians, Kappel, from Palm Beach Gardens, ran his personal best in 2:55:15 and Winter, from Altamonte Springs, in 3:09:19. The half marathon winners were also Florida residents: Evan Dehart, 27, of Jupiter, ran the half in 1:12:59, and Miami’s Alyson Venti, 30, ran it in 1:27:18.
US Road Sports, the leading authority in health and fitness event management, owns and operates many world-class destination events across the country that draw thousands of international participants including the ING Miami Marathon, the Publix Escape to Miami Triathlon and the Chicago Half Marathon.
The organization has a strong track record of charitable support and has helped bring more than $86 million in positive impact on businesses, tourism and community wellness in the South Florida market alone.
For more information about the event, visit www.runpalmbeaches.com.
Above: Marathon runners hold hands as they approach the finish line.
