Easter Beach Run
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
LENGTH: 4 miles
COURSE: On the beach; start/finish at the ocean pier near Main Street approach
REGISTRATION: Today –– 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., City of Daytona Beach Leisure Services, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach. Saturday –– 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Breakers Oceanfront Park, 13 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
COMPANION EVENTS: 2-mile fun run, 2:15 p.m., all ages; short-distance children's races (50 yards, 100 yards, quarter-mile), 3 p.m.
ENTRY FEE: 4-mile run, $35; children's races, $12 one child, $8 for additional children in the same family
PARKING: Ocean Center garage, plus city and private parking lots near the Main Street area
MORE INFO: Call Daytona Beach Leisure Services at 386-671-8337 or go to easterbeachrun.org
DAYTONA BEACH -- The weather forecast is promising, the volume of pre-entries is strong and a runner is going for a record in Saturday's 45th annual Easter Beach Run.
What started in 1967 as an event for college students on Spring Break has blossomed into one of the area's most iconic running events.
There is something for just about everyone, with an emphasis on family fun. The program includes the main event -- the 4-mile EBR -- plus a 2-mile run and several shorter distances for young runners.
Hilary Rowley, the athletic manager for City of Beach Leisure Services, said the EBR -- which begins and ends at the pier near the Main Street approach -- offers an interesting mix of entries, all of whom will receive participation medals.
"We have parents who push their babies in strollers and seniors over 80," Rowley said. "We see various groups and different companies enter. One year, members of the fire department ran the 4-mile in full gear, which was quite impressive.
"People show up wearing bunny ears or tails. We want a festive atmosphere. I feel real good about his event. It's something that the city and surrounding cities have really supported."
Music, food, drinks and vendors will be staged in Breakers Oceanfront Park adjacent to the pier before and after the beach races.
The EBR will have a new 4-mile male champion, as last year's winner, Andrew Epifanio, is coming off an injury and can't compete. The 19-year-old Stetson sophomore was crestfallen when reached by phone Thursday.
"It's a real disappointment," Epifanio said. "I'm not in any shape to run in a 4-mile race on sand."
Last year's 4-mile women's winner, Kathleen Hoover, wasn't registered as of Thursday night, but there is one returning female who will be going for a record Saturday.
South Daytona's Alexa Gemma, 36, will be running for her fifth consecutive victory in the 2-mile run for women.
"I like both race distances," said Gemma, who is sponsored by her employer, Waste Pro. "You don't get too many 2-milers. I will come back to defend my title every year now."
Gemma, who was clocked at 12 minutes, 55 seconds in the 2011 EBR 2-mile, trains weekly and describes herself as a "serious runner."
"I have been running since high school," she said. "This is a prestigious race to win, and I plan to make it back every year."
Years ago, the EBR attracted some of the country's more elite athletes, but Rowley said Saturday's races will likely be won by locals.
"Back in the day, we some had world-class runners compete," Rowley said. "We don't have any Olympians -- so far."
Participants may register at the Leisure Services office today up to 12:30 p.m. Saturday -- a half-hour before the EBR.
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