Recap: Moonlight Beach Run 10K & 5K Challenge

This year I participated in the 2nd annual Moonlight Beach Run event in Daytona Beach. The event offered races of 4 distances: Half Marathon; 15K; 10K; and 5K. Runners could participate in any of the longer races and add the 5K for a bonus challenge medal.

All races had the start/finish line near the Daytona Beach Bandshell and were out-and-back courses on the hard-packed sand of the beach.

Training & Goals
In early November I went to an orthopedic specialist to get some help with my chronic Achilles issue. I spent most of November in a walking boot. I had Physical Therapy for much of December with my last session just prior to the races. I am cleared to run but I need to ease back in as I lost a lot of fitness and gained a lot of weight in the last year. I also need to keep up with strength and balance exercises to avoid future injury. My plan for this event was to mostly walk both races with a little bit of running mixed in.

Race Day: January 4, 2020

Parking: The 10K had a start time of 5PM. I drove over to the beach and circled around a bit before I found a free parking spot in the Ocean Center surface lot at the corner of Oleander and Earl. 

Packet Pickup: Packet pickup was on the bandshell stage. There were plenty of volunteers when I arrived and pickup was a breeze. Bag drop was also on the stage and another smooth operation.

Weather: Overcast skies for the moonlight run = not good! Eventually the skies cleared once the sun started to set. When I started the 10K, which was moved up to a 4:50PM start for reasons I never learned, it was a breezy 70°F with 83% humidity. It dropped down to 64°F with 73% humidity and still breezy for the start of the 5K at 7PM.

10K

Mile 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6+: 14:27, 14:55, 15:05, 15:06, 15:29, 16:33, 1:47
After a five minute walking warm-up, I started adding 1 minute runs between two minute walks, telling myself to run slowly. Halfway though the race I was feeling pretty fatigued so I opted to walk most of the rest with only a couple of running minutes in the back half.

With the 10-minute earlier start, I had a really nice cushion to get back in time for the 5K start at 7PM. I had about a half hour to stretch, eat a few cookies, and drink some water before the start of the 5K. There were a lot more participants in the 2nd race, with many walkers who had already run the half, 15K, or 10K.

5K

Mile 1, 2, 3+: 16:25, 17:37, 16:45, 1:26
There were a lot more participants walking this race. My legs were very, very achy after the 10K so I opted to walk the entire 5K.

After the race
There was a very nice spread of treats and food for runners following the races. Energy bars, cookies, fruit, and more were available. Pizza, soda, and beer (I think) were also offered. Bag pickup was smooth and luckily I was able to change my t-shirt size once I was done running.

Recommendation
This race event had good organization and ample perks. Recommended.

Chip time: 1:33:16 (10K) | 51:52 (5K)
Placement details: 9/9 AG 117/131 overall in the 10K | 26/33 AG 285/334 overall in the 5K
Race Amenities: Nice long sleeve tech shirt, finisher medal for all distances (I got the same for both the 10K and the 5K), bonus medal for challenge, nice after party
Cost: $50.40

Report written January 8, 2020

Branded photos (c) Sommer Sports