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Pounding the Pavement with a Purpose 30A 10K celebrates 10 years of giving back to the South Walton community B y Te s s F a r m e r R ecognized as one of the top ten turkey trots in America, the 30A 10K takes place in Rosemary Beach and is known for its scenic yet flat and fast Participants celebrate with Lucky the Turkey
courses as well as the over-the-top after party. “We invite locals and visitors to experience the beauty of South Walton county and give back to local charities while making health and fitness a part of a weekend of gratitude and indulgence,” says Race Director Karen Meadows. “It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy meals, shopping, and outdoor activities throughout our amazing local communities.” The 30A 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun runs welcome runners, their friends, and families as the main event with two days of fun, family-focused activities on a popular holiday weekend at the beach. The capstone event – the 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run races – will take place on November 25 as runners race down scenic Highway 30A taking in the sights and fresh beach breezes along the way. The 30A 10K is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to serve the community by producing a fun and safe race with related events to raise money for contribution to local charities while promoting health and fitness. Started by local residents Karen Meadows, Amy Stoyles, and Craig Baranowski, the race is in its tenth year. All money raised is donated to the event’s annually- selected charity partners. The charity partners for the 2021 race include: The Point Washington Medical Clinic, the Walton County Education Foundation, Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem, and the Seaside School Foundation. “All the charity partners have a direct impact here in South Walton and the mission of each one is vital to the health and wellness of our local community,” says Amy Stoyles, Co-Race Director. “We have been able to support these worthwhile causes each year thanks to the support of our runners, volunteers, and sponsors, we couldn’t do it without them.” Meadows, who is a certified USA triathlon and running coach, says the atmosphere of the beach and culture of sports and fitness here makes 30-A the perfect destination for a race of this caliber. “We’ve kept it family friendly so everyone at all levels can participate, but you can also qualify for other races this way,” she says. “This race has become such a tradition here and there are ways for everyone to participate.”
Locals and visitors make exercising and enjoying the outdoors a part of daily life here at the beach, with many opportunities to get your heart rate up in the fresh air and sunshine. “After a year of being cooped up, we all are reminded how important these things are to our health and wellness not just through physical fitness but being coming together as a community,” adds Stoyles. “There is no shortage of opportunities to be active and enjoy the natural wonders here along 30-A and we’re happy to be a part of that tradition,” says Meadows. “And lucky enough the temperatures and humidity start to cooperate a bit more come late November!” To learn more and register for the race, visit 30a10k. com. The 30A 10K is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier with certification #FL12097EBM. All runners receive an eco-friendly race shirt and a commemorative, reus- able insulated water bottle to keep their favorite drink at its ideal temp and to eliminate single-use plastic bottles in landfills, waterways, and oceans.
ABOUT THE 30A 10K With a 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run, this Thanksgiving Day tradition has something for the whole family. Packet pick up takes place the day before the event at The Hub on 30A and the race starts and finishes in beautiful downtown Rosemary Beach on Thanksgiving morning. As one of the largest road races in South Walton, with an estimated 6,000 partici- pants, vendors, and volunteers, this is one holiday extravaganza you don’t want to miss. All money raised is donated to local charity partners. To date, the 30A 10K Inc. has do- nated more than $450,000 to area non- profits. This year, the organization plans to break the half million-dollar mark.
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