Bradosky, Petrick Win Sarasota Half Marathon

More than 3,000 runners and walkers took part in Sunday's 7^th Annual First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon & Relay, making the race one of the largest single day event participation events for Sarasota County outside Spring Training.

Great Falls, Mont. Jacob Bradosky, age 24, won the men’s title in a record 1:09:42 and Apollo Beach, Fla. Sara Petrick, age 25, took the women’s title in a record 1:20:00.

Despite running this year’s race faster than in 2011, last year’s winners, Elias Gonzalez, age 35, from Tampa, and Heather Butcher, age 39, from North Port, took second place in the men’s and women’s division with times of 1:12:19 and 1:23:15 respectively. Butcher’s 2^nd place finish made her the overall locals division winner for women, with Jeff Vereckt, age 40, taking the men’s local division top place (4^th overall among men) and the Masters overall title with a time of 1:20:52.

Race Director Javier Sanchez noted on the event: “"It was another perfect day for a race in Sarasota and some really fast record-setting times among a competitive field that drew participants from 47 states and 7 countries.  We greatly appreciate all the community and sponsor support and look forward to continuing to grow this event into one of the nation’s top half marathons and relays.”

Additional titles and race stats follow.  For a complete list of race results, visit www.sarasotahalfmarathon.com. 

Masters Winners 

Women (W): Lauro Barragan, age 44, 1:27:31

Men (M): Jeff Vereckt, age 40, 1:20:49

Grand Masters Winners

W:  Denise Skinner, age 56, 1:38:46

M: Robert Hammon, age 51, 1:25:52

Relay Team Winners

In its 2^nd year, the two-person relay teams attracted 366 runners and walkers. Top finishers included:

Men’s Relay:  Masters of Disaster, 1:33:22

Women’s Relay: Runnergirl, 1:34:24

Co-Ed, On a Shoestring, 1:17:16

Youngest/Oldest

Spanning 67 years, 10-year old Shelby McKinney of Genoa City, Wis., finished in 3:22:01 and 77-year old Leroy Halle of North Port, Fla., in 3:41:31.

ABOUT:  U.S. Road Sports & Entertainment Group

U.S. Road Sports & Entertainment Group (USRS), a health and wellness company dedicated to the production of world-class endurance events, offers unparalleled participant sports experiences that showcase host communities and endure a deeply valued local asset through events that are a part of the city’s culture and identity. For each participant, USRS strives to offer events that allow participants of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and accomplish life-altering goals while having fun.  U.S. Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities highly effective exposure to help maximize their presence and message in the community.

In addition to the First Watch Sarasota Half-Marathon & Relay, USRS hosted events include South Florida’s largest road race, the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon®, as well as the Chicago Half-Marathon, Publix Georgia Marathon, 13.1 Marathon® Series and the Publix Escape to Miami Triathlon.