Get fit and fabulously psyched for the best triathalons and charity races around neighboring islands and Gulf coast cities of Fort Myers Beach. Plan your vacation around some, or if you are feeling ready to run and roll, register while here to dive, pedal and pound your way to an exhilarating race experience. Not an athlete yourself but love sports? Volunteer, or come cheer to be part of the excitement getting fired up for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Types of Athlons
Multi-sport competitions have continuous stages where athletes switch from one discipline to another to finish with the best time overall. These endurance races are aerobic-intense combinations of activities like cycling, running, swimming and kayaking. Events like the decathlon and pentathlon from Olympic games are not in this category because their individual components are not held back to back. Duathlons, swimruns, aquabiking and rowathlons are variations on multi-sport endurance competitions.
Volunteer Opportunities for Races
Contact any race event coordinator for exciting volunteer opportunities to support a cause, the athletes and be in the thick of the action.
Transportation Around Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel
- Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is about 30-45 minutes from Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. It has international service to Germany and Canada.
- Easy access to full services from overnight docking to fuel and repairs from more than 20 marinas.
- Nine-plus national companies offer rentals.
- Nearest Amtrak station in Tampa provides bus connections to Fort Myers.
- Coconut Cab Taxi, Local Motion Taxi and Paradise Beach Taxi
- Elite Limousine, Maximum Limousine and Clean Ride Limo
- Metered parking in many places is free after 5 PM weekdays and Saturdays. Marina and parking garages or lots charge by the hour or day.
- Cape Coral Parkway, Sanibel Causeway and Midpoint Memorial bridges have cost $1 to $6 going in. Alligator Alley, or Everglades Parkway, connects Miami to Naples for $3. U.S. 41 bridge across Caloosahatchee River is free.
- Come from the Midwestern states via I-75 South. From the Northeast, take I-95 South to I-10 West or I-4 West and I-75 South. Sail aboard the Key West Express from the southernmost tip of the United States.
Best Meals Before, During and After the Big Race
Experienced triathletes like Brain Shea and Marni Sumbal will tell you no one menu fits every person’s needs, and that more thought must go into planning your pregame meals than nutrition. Iron stomachs, sensitive bellies and nervous nellies each need different ways to get the same nutrition and easy digesting. Brian recommends an easy 1-2-3 guide to planning meals that meets three goals.
- Hydration is key to everything. Use fluid replacement drinks instead of plain water to help maintain proper electrolyte balance and healthy sleep patterns, but avoid over-consuming. Consuming large amounts of salt the few days before the race helps the body retain water for especially warm-weather races.
- Stick to easily digestible meals especially the last 24 hours before the race.
- The morning of the race, liquid calories can be easier on the stomach and aid in digestion.
Load up on carbs and easily digestible protein the night before. Race morning breakfasts generally have about 550-575 calories with 80-plus grams of carbs. Consume fast-release carbohydrates from sources like energy drinks and bars, dried fruits and sandwiches during the race. Finish eating solid food breakfasts at least two hours before start time and large meals at least 12 hours before. Stay properly hydrated, carbed-up and have everything digested when the gun pops.
When The Race Is Won
Once medals are draped and trophies hoisted, the body needs immediate recovery nutrition. Recommended amount of glycogen is about one to 1.2 grams per kilogram body weight, or about 70-84 grams of carbs for a 155-pound person. Protein helps the body store and use glycogen. Even better, combining protein with carbs also helps promote muscle repair. Gradually replacing the carbs in your muscles in smaller meals spread over three to five hours is better than eating one big meal.
Time to Celebrate
Now that you are high on after-race adrenaline joy, it is time to celebrate on the town. Try Chip’s Sanibel Steakhouse and Rizzo’s on Captiva.
Scorching sunshine beads perspiration down your back along flat terrain with an occasional hill. Someone passes you cool, wet drinks. Smiles, voices and clapping urge you to keep going. You got this. Blinding sunlight or silvery-soft moonlight swims in the Gulf of Mexico conceal more perspiration as you work your way to the wheels or treads that will carry you to the ribbon at the finish. We know: It isn’t about the end but about the next one. Here is a listing of the best annual and special event races in and around Fort Myers Beach, Florida, USA.
April
From beginners to masters, find opportunities to support local charities and prepare for bigger races. Visit LocalRaces.com for special event races and registration details, including one with the dogs because deep inside, every body is an athlete at heart.
1. The Fast and the Furriest 5k, 1 mile
Date: Saturday, April 9, 2016 Start Times: 7:30 a.m. for 5K, 7:35 a.m. for 1K
City: Fort Myers, Hammond Stadium
Description: Benefits the Gulf Coast Humane Society
Fees: $15-$40.
Awards: Top chipped runners, Fastest Dogs, Top Fundraisers, and Triple Crown Award Winners.
2. 2016 FGCU Eagle Sprint Triathlon
Race Date: Sunday, April 17, 2016 Start Time: 6 AM
Location: Alico Arena, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Fort Myers 33965-6565
Registration Fee: $65-$150
Contact: Email [email protected]
Telephone: 239-590-1000
May
1. Lake Avalon Reverse Triathlon & Durathlon:
Triathlon – 5k Run, 10 Mile Bike, 1/4 Mile Swim
Duathlon – 5k Run, 10 Miles Bike, 1 Mile Run Race
Date: Sunday, May 1, 2016 Start Time: 7 AM
Location: Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples, 34112
Registration Fee: Pre-registration $89, Race Day $100, Relay Team $129; Transfers may be permitted.
Other Fees: USAT membership required. $12 one-day USAT license fee for non members.
Categories: Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Clydesdale, Athena
Divisions: Individual, Relay Teams
Awards: Glass awards by age groups and finishers medals. Participant t-shirts for all.
Course Information: Runners begin at the park and transition to bike through tree-lined Lakewood neighborhood. Triathletes swim 1/4 mile across a freshwater lake and duathletes run to finish in the stadium.
Post Race: Popular music, refreshments, snacks
2. Cape Coral Yacht Club Sprint Triathlon: Swim ¼ Mile, Bike 11.5 Miles, Run 3.1 Miles
Race Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016 Start Time: 7 AM
Location: Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, 33904
Contact: 239-574-0806, or email: [email protected]
Registration Fee: $65
Details: Beginners to serious competitors
Registration: is open for 2016 race
Course Information: ¼ mile swim off the cape Coral yacht Club beach; Bike course begins at the Tony Rotino Center; Run finishes on the beach.
Post Race: Music and food
June
30th Annual Fitness Challenge Reverse Triathlon: Run 3.1, Bike 9.3, Swim ¼ mile
Race Date: Sunday, June 5, 2016. Start time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Naples, 34102
Registration Fees: Individual $80-$100, Relay Teams 2-3 persons $170-$190
15 Charity Spots: $275
Other Fees: Participants must be members of USA Triathlon and show proofs of membership at packet pick up or purchase a one-day license for $15.
Categories: Individual, Teams, Athena, Clydesdale
Divisions: Mens, Womens, Corporate, Mixed, Family, Special Response, High School, Middle School
Awards: Individuals Top 10 Overall Male and Female; Top 5 in Each Age Group; Top 5 in Each Team Division
Registration: March 1 – May 25, except through May 27 for individuals
Course Information: mostly flat land, ocean swim in Gulf of Mexico
Post Race: Breakfast
History: 30th Annual Fitness Challenge Reverse Triathlon, 29th Year of this Reverse Sprint Triathlon
July
American Sprint Triathlon: Swim ¼ Mile, Bike 10 miles, Run 3 miles
and American Sprint Duathlon: Run 1 mile, Bike 10 miles, Run 3 miles
Race Date: Sunday, July 10, 2106 Start Time: 7 AM
Location: Sugden Reginal Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples, 34112
Registration: is open for 2016
Course Information: Swim from a sandy beach across a freshwater lake to the Margaret A, Sugden Amphitheater, transition to bike on mostly flat scenic course, and run mostly in shade with views of wildlife, wetlands, lakes, beaches, piers, sailboats to finish at the amphitheater.
History: 5th Annual event.
August
Estero Summer 5K Run/Walk
Race Date: Saturday, August 6, 2016 Start Time: 7:15 a.m.
Location: Estero, Florida – Estero Community Park
Registration Fee: $27 through August 2, $30 on race day
Course Information: Cross-country course on trails and soft turf with hill.
November
Thanksgiving Day 5K Run and Walk
Race Date: Thursday, November 24, 2016
Location: Estero, Florida – Germaine Arena
Registration Fee: $35
Categories: Individual, All ages
Divisions: Male, Female Overall, Masters, Grand Masters, Senior Grand Masters
Awards: Fit2Run Gift Cards, $25-$250
Course Information: Benefits San Carlos Park Roller Hockey
December
Survival Beach – Lovers Key
Race Date: Saturday, December 10, 2016
Location: Fort Myers Beach
Course Information: Timed Adventure/Obstacle Race on the beach tests mental and physical skills and endurance through 5K obstacle course on beach.
