Fun Starts In

WENDY JOHNSON 5K

Start the year with a new PR!

Run a fast, flat 5K on the roads of St. Pete Beach

January is the perfect time to run a 5K in Florida. Our entire course is on paved, flat roads with a water station at the halfway point.

Just a Saturday at the Beach
Come early to cheer on the 10K runners and watch the kids’ dashes, enjoy a cup of coffee, and do a little warm up before the 5K starts.

Walker Friendly Event
Our 5K event was designed for participants of all skill and fitness levels, including walkers.

PRICES LIKE 20 YEARS AGO
$20 Through July 4th

REGISTER TODAY

2022 Finishers Medals

Course Info

Run along the fast, flat streets of St. Pete Beach Florida.

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Event Schedule

The link below has a schedule of the weekend events.

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Jan 12

Expo, Registration & Pick up Packet

Friday January 12, 2024

St Pete Beach Community Center, Boca Ciega Room

7701 Boca Ciega Drive

St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

12:00 PM

Expo, Registration & Pick up Packet Opens

6:00 PM

Expo, Registration & Pick up Packet Closes

Jan 13

Packet Pickup / Race Day Registration Opens

Saturday, January 13, 2024 | 6:00 AM

9:00 AM

St. Pete Beach Classic 5K START

(Including Classic Duo participants and Marathon Challenge participants)

10:30 AM

Awards / Post – Race Party

Course Details

If you are looking for one of the best 5K races in Florida, look no further!

The Classic 5K was one of the original competitive events of what has become the St. Pete Beach Classic weekend. First run in 2004 it was renamed the Wendy Johnson 5K in 2022 in honor of the event’s founder.

Wendy Crane Johnson began her quest for a healthy life-style and her love for running as a 20 something year old in the 1980’s. A friend from the Birmingham Track Club encouraged her to lay out a one-mile loop and run/walk that loop several times a week until she was able to run the entire mile.

Fast forward to 2002 when Wendy and Al Johnson founded Motion Sports Management out of a love for the sports of running, swimming, biking and triathlon. From there Wendy and Al founded the St Pete Beach Classic
10K/5K with the inaugural race held on February 8, 2004 with just over 1,500 runners.

Wendy passed away in April of 2010, at the age of 50 years old. This event’s existence is a lasting reminder of her drive, passion and desire to support the athlete in all of us. Her family is pleased to continue her legacy and love of
her community, running and friendships by sponsoring the Wendy Johnson 5K.

The Wendy Johnson 5K is a certified 5K course that entitles racers to run on the main throughfare of the City of St. Pete Beach. The race starts on Gulf Blvd in front of the Sirata followed by a brief loop in North Beach, past Upham Beach and back to the Sirata for the finish.

 

  • Start in front of the Sirata.
  • Head north up Gulf Blvd.
  • Loop through residential neighborhoods to Sunset Way.
  • Breeze through Upham Beach.
  • Cruise south on Gulf Blvd.
  • Finish at the Sirata Beach Resort.
  • USATF Certified Course Distance (# FL07040EBM)
  • Enjoy the post-race party and festivities!

 

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The Sirata Beach Resort and Conference Center has been the home of the Classic Since 2008 and is proud to offer hotel room discount specials.


Book your room now! Call Toll free for reservations 855-344-5999.


To get the St. Pete Beach Classic Weekend special room rate, call toll free and identify yourself as part of the “SPB Classic 2024 Runners Group Block“. If you do not make your arrangements in this manner you will not be linked to the group and won’t get the special rate. Act quickly as once the group is filled the special discount will not be available! (note: at least one person in each guest room must be at least 21 years of age)

More about the Sirata

The Sirata is the focal point for the Classic’s activities: all the pre- and post-race parties, race-day registration and packet pick up, the beach party and bonfire – even the start and finish lines – are located at the resort!! 

The Sirata is truly the home of the Classic.

The City of St. Pete Beach is the essence of a small, beach community. Situated on a barrier island that forms Boca Ciega Bay with the mainland of St. Petersburg, its approximately 10,000 residents are understandably proud of their community! They have reason to be, as St. Pete Beach was designated the Sunset Capital of Florida, and named the 3 rd best family beach destination in the country by Parents Magazine!

A small island measuring about 5 miles long and less than a half-mile wide (at points much less!) residents are an active bunch, participating in civic groups and other organizations aimed at making life here full of fun activities and services that make it truly a tropical paradise! The St. Pete Beach Classic is the biggest event of the year for the City and involves virtually all of the local organizations and many of our businesses to make it happen – all to the benefit of various charities.


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