RUN THE SAND!
Commemorate the amazing true story
of the Barefoot Mailman
The Barefoot Mailman delivered mail along the beach from Palm Beach to Miami from 1885 until 1992, when a road linking the two was finally built. Each year we acknowledge and salute this difficult and dangerous weekly round trip of 136 miles by running our race on the sand where the mailman once walked.
In this year of COVID-19, producing the race is not possible. But remembering this history, and challenging ourselves to a 5-kilometer run on the sand, still is. And, so The Barefoot Mailman EXPERIENCE provides the frame to continue this tradition.
On Sunday, December 20, challenge yourself to running 3.1 miles on the beach of your choice, at the time of day of your choice. Run at Mizell-Johnson State Park in Dania Beach where the "real" race takes place, or select a stretch of sand closer to home. Register at RunSignUp.com as you would for any race. There is no charge to participate, but registering allows you to make it official--and to upload your results for posterity.
Details:
WHAT: A “virtual” race means that you are not running at the same time and in the same place as other participants. The idea is for you to run or walk the 5-kilometer distance on the beach of your choosing. Event day is December 20, but you may choose the time of day to complete your run.
WHERE: It’s 2020, and COVID-19 prevented this year’s Barefoot Mailman Classic from happening. So, instead of lining-up together on the beach at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, you run on the beach of your choice. The 5-kilometer distance is 3.1 miles. So, run in one direction for 1.55 miles, then reverse course and return to your starting point. Don't forget to record your time and mileage!
Any beach will do, but here are six of many options in addition to Mizell-Johnson State Park. The distance for each of these is 3.1 miles:
Ocean Reef Park, Riviera Beach. Go south to Lake Worth Inlet and back.
Lake Worth Beach pier north to the northern edge of Palm Beach Municipal Golf Course, then back to the pier.
South Beach pavilion in Boca Raton north to the last house before the public beach resumes after the condos, then return.
Delray Beach: Atlantic Blvd. north to the start of the golf course, and return.
Dania Beach Pier north to the first entry to Whiskey Creek rental center, and back.
South Beach Miami: start at the inlet, go north to the first big hotel on the beach, then return.
Or measure your own distance anywhere along Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County beaches and points north, or any beach near you in Florida or beyond.
WHEN: Registration opens December 3. “Race” day is Sunday, December 20. You must complete 5-kilometers on that day.
COST: There is no cost to participate in the “The Barefoot Mailman Experience”. Make a commitment to run on the Sunday before Christmas, then enjoy the on-beach experience. You may run barefoot or with shoes. Your choice.
BLING: Sorry, but no shirts, medals or awards are offered. This "virtual" run is self-timed; it’s an honor-system event. Results are not verified. Do take it seriously as a personal challenge, but this is all about commemorating the Barefoot Mailman and the fun and joy of running—and maybe beating a few of those fast people out there, if you can!
Registration & Uploading Your Results:
REGISTRATION: Beginning December 3rd. Go to RunSignUp.com, sign-in to your existing account or create a new one, then search for “The Barefoot Mailman Experience” and complete registration. There is no charge to register.
UPLOADING YOUR RESULTS: RunSignUp.com will also host results. So, after your run, go to your RunSignUp account, click on your profile and select "The Barefoot Mailman Experience". Then simply type-in your mileage and time. The program will display your totals and update the race standings page. Or, download the RaceJoy app on your Android or iPhone, carry it with you while you run and results will be uploaded automatically.
CLICK HERE for a How-To Step-by-Step guide on uploading mileage and time.