Seaside School Half Marathon + 5K Announces Virtual Race in February 2021

By 30aeats.com @Eater30A

The Seaside School Virtual Half Marathon + 5K is now open for registration to participants around the world! How cool is that?

In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and prioritize the health and safety of the community and participants, the Seaside School, Inc. and Seaside School Foundation have decided to move forward with a virtual half marathon + 5K for the 19th annual event. The funds to Benefit Seaside Neighborhood School & Seacoast Collegiate High School.

The virtual half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) will start on Sunday, February 14th, 2021 and end at midnight on Sunday, February 28th, 2021. Participants can run or walk at any pace during the race dates, then simply report the time to be added to the national results leaderboard.

“With continued uncertainty, this virtual option will allow us to provide the safest possible experience for participants,” said Teresa Horton, Executive Director of the Seaside School Foundation. “This was an incredibly difficult and emotional process for our school and community as a whole to make. With that said, we need the community’s support this year more than ever. We look forward to virtually cheering on our runners in 2021!”

Registration cost for the 5K is $75 and the half marathon is $100. In order for participants to receive complimentary swag bags before race week, runners need to complete registration before January 17th, 2021.

Each registrant will receive the following:

    • Virtual Training Coach Program led by lululemon® Grayton Beach Ambassador, Rex Stinnet
    • Vera Bradley® ReActive Sling Backpack + Pleated Face Mask
    • Billie Gaffrey Designed Race Shirt (Celebrating 25 Years of the Seaside School)
    • Custom Finisher Medal
    • Customized Playlist
    • Virtual Bib, Finisher Certificate + Goody Bag”We’re looking forward to engaging with the runners virtually while still offering some perks of race day our participants have come to know and love!” said Mrs. Horton.100% of the funds raised from the virtual race benefits the Seaside Schools Foundation, which supports the operating budget for the Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast Collegiate High School. The

Seaside School is tuition-free, public charter school serving students in across Walton County. Last year the race raised more than ever with proceeds totaling more than $600,000.

“Our students and parents are extremely grateful for each and every race participant this year,” said Ms. Kim Mixson, Principal of Seaside Neighborhood School. “This fundraiser has become a part of our school culture, a stellar example of the Seaside Way in action. By applying creative thinking and problem- solving, we can keep this tradition alive and meet the needs of our growing school and community.”

Registration options can be found at http://runseasidefl.com.

ABOUT THE SEASIDE SCHOOL HALF MARATHON & 5K
The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K is the annual charity race fundraiser that supports the Seaside Schools Foundation. Every year, the gap between the Seaside School standard of excellence and the funding provided by the state seems to grow more and more. There are either funding cuts or the schools simply want more for the students. In any case, the shortfall is significant each year. Participation and support of the annual fundraisers provides middle school and high school students in Walton County, Florida the opportunity to participate in elective classes for gardening, music, creative and culinary art, an award-winning robotics program, advanced placement classes as well as career- readiness industry certification courses.

ABOUT THE SEASIDE SCHOOLS
Founded in 1996, The Seaside School, Inc. was one of the first and is now one of the oldest surviving public charter schools in the state of Florida. Its original goal was simple – create a school to address the need for better middle school education in Walton County – and it hasn’t stopped since. Seaside School now has over 375 students across two campuses serving grades 5th through 12th. Seaside Neighborhood School serves 5th through 8th grades and is located in the iconic beach town of Seaside, Florida. Located on the campus of nearby Northwest Florida State College, Seacoast Collegiate High School serves 9th through 12th grades offering students the ability to graduate high school with an associate college degree.

The vision of Seaside School is to maintain a small school with faculty knowledgeable about each student’s abilities and challenges, so that they can offer increased support to each student to meet those challenges and increase their skills to perform successfully in all academic areas. The Board of Directors seeks to sustain an educational community where an emphasis on academic excellence is complemented by the concern for each learner’s personal growth and intellectual, aesthetic and psychological development. The curriculum is developmentally responsive – actively engaging students in learning skills in context, integrative – directing students to connect learning to daily lives, and exploratory – enabling students to discover their abilities, interests, learning styles, and ways that they can make contributions to society.