EVENT DETAILS
28th ANNUAL KEY WEST HALF MARATHON & RUNFEST
Week-end of January 16-18, 2026
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 – 5K – Start time 6:30 am – 10K – Start time 7:30 am
Sunday, January 18th, 2026 – Half Marathon & 8K – Start time 6:30 am
2025 Race Shirt & Medal Unveiled!
Original Paintings used for our 2025 Shirts
by Artist Mary Wentzel
So lace up your sneakers & make your #runcation rad by Registering Now!!
The 2026 Key West Half Marathon & Runfest will take place during the week-end of January 16-18, 2026 > Click Here to Register
Application
To download Expo Vendor PDF application > Click Here
To download Sponsorship Opportunities > Click Here
LIVE GPS TRACKING
We are happy to offer RaceJoy again this year. For those running in Key West with us, you can use RaceJoy to enhance the experience with some audio alerts and cheers as well as the ability to have your friends and family monitor your progress and send you support as you run. Just download the free app and follow the instructions and when you start your run, hit “Start My Race” and have fun!
If you aren’t able to be in Key West but have signed up for the virtual version of our event, you can still use RaceJoy. You can run anywhere at any time over the weekend with the app. If you prefer to just run without RaceJoy, that is fine too. You can run whenever and wherever you want and post your results online when you are done:
DEFERRALS
Claim 2026 to 2027 deferrals:
If you deferred your 2026 race to 2027 YOU MUST CLAIM YOUR DEFERRAL! Please make sure claim your deferral starting 1/20/26 till May 1, 2026.
Click Here for instructions on how to Claim your deferral
Defer to 2027:
You can defer your registration directly from your RunSignUp account. Sign in here: https://runsignup.com/profile and log into your account. Look for the deferral tab at the top and follow the directions. It will only take a couple of minutes to complete the process.
Deferral fee schedule:
Big Pecker: $100 till 11/01/25
Half Marathon: $50 till 11/01/25
5K/8K/10K: $20 till 11/01/25
Rum Stroll/Beer Mile: $20 till 11/01/25
Transfer to Virtual:
You can transfer your registration to the virtual event directly from your RunSignUp account. Sign in here: https://runsignup.com/profile and log into your account. Look for the TRANSFER EVENT tab at the top right and follow the directions. It will only take a couple of minutes to complete the process. Thank you.
SWITCH DISTANCES
Yes, you can always switch race distances if there is still capacity in the event you are looking to switch into. Log into your runsignup.com account, find your race entry, and click the “Change category” button to make update to your registration. The deadline to make edits to your registration is January 1, 2026
- Switching from a longer distance to a shorter distance: There is no fee to switch to a shorter distance. There are no refunds for the difference in price between the two distances.
- Switching from a shorter distance to a longer distance: You will be prompted to pay the difference in fee from the shorter distance to the current cost of the longer distance.
Announcing a cup free race!
Because of our beautiful waters which you’ll run adjacent to, most of the race, we’ve decided to once again have a cup free race! There will be numerous water stations with fantastic volunteers, but you must bring your own vessel to fill up!
KEY WEST HALF MARATHON T-SHIRT REVEALED!
Meet the Artist:
Mary Wentzel is a watercolor and ink painter whose work features bold colors and rhythmic detail. The vibrant flora and fauna of the state of Florida is a favorite theme in her work. Mary uses watercolor techniques with ink and acrylic ink to create her intricate pieces. She finishes off each piece with a custom painted upcycled frame.
Mary is a graduate of Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and has enjoyed a long successful career as a museum curator and educator at some of our area’s best art, science and history museums. She has held curator positions at the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum.
Her paintings have been exhibited around the state and have won many awards. Mary published her second children’s book, “Crazy’s A to Z for Kids” in 2021. Mary recently finished illustrating a series of environmental books for children, by author, Robert Andrew Provan and published by Archway publishing company. Her illustrations have been published in books and magazines throughout the country and her work is included in private collections around the world.
Connect with Mary on Instagram and Facebook (@mary.wentzel.33) and at www.worldofwentzel.com
HEMINGWAY RUM STROLL & KEY WEST BEACH N' MILE
Sunday, January 18th | 1:00-5:00 pm
YOU WILL NEED TO PICK UP YOUR T-SHIRT AND BIB AT THE REGISTRATION TENT. LOOK FOR THE SIGN FOR RUM STROLL AND BEER MILE.
All Rum Stroll and Beer Mile Participants must pick up their Bibs and Shirts at the Race Registrations Friday or Saturday. For Late Arrivals after Saturday night Special very Last Pick up will be available at Shirt Exchange Sunday between 9am- 11:30am at the Shirt Exchange Table near Bag Check in the Municipal Parking Lot near the Finish line.
Hemingway Rum Stroll Presented by Papa’s Pilar Rum includes six locations with a Papa’s Pilar Rum drink at each location. Must be over 21, Entry Fee: $49 includes Custom Rum Stroll Race Shirt. You may go in any order you like.
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Half Shell Raw Bar – 231 Margaret St, Key West, FL 33040
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The Marker – 200 William St, Key West, FL 33040
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Hemingway Distillery – 201 Simonton St, Key West, FL 33040
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Celtic Conch – 528 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
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Island Dogs – 505 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
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Rams Head – 804 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
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Tipsy Rooster – 1325 Simonton St, Key West, FL 33040
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Southernmost Beach Cafe – 1405 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
Key West Beach N’ Beer Mile – 3:00 pm:
4 Loops, 4 Beers on the Southernmost Beach! Price: $49 includes Custom Race Shirt. Race is NOT TIMED!
The Beach N’ Mile bib has 4 beer tickets on you bib. This casual and fun beer mile takes place on the beach at the Southernmost Beach Cafe, 1405 Duval Street, event starts at 3 pm. Look for the Key West Half Marathon sail flags and cones! Costumes are encouraged and we will be giving various prizes out for the best costumes.
Prizes awarded for:
- Best Team Spirit
- Best Dressed
- Least Dressed
Raffles at 5 pm sharp.
BEAST PACING
Half Marathon Pace Times
1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00
