The Good, the Bad, and the Cul-de-Sacs of the Naples Half Marathon.
Let me start by saying I am not new to the running game, but I’m also not exactly a seasoned pro. My history with races has been a mixed bag—kind of like the snacks in my pantry—some winners, some definitely past their prime. Let’s rewind for a second so you can get the full picture before I dive into my Naples Half Marathon recap.
Throwback to 2010-ish: The Duluth Half Marathon
Picture this: 26-year-old me, living her best life with absolutely zero clue how to train for a race. Technology back then? Not exactly what we’ve got now. I splurged on some special Reebok running shoes with a chip that connected to my iPod Touch. Fancy, right? Except it was wildly inaccurate, and I had no idea how far I’d actually trained (spoiler: it wasn’t far). On race day, I showed up never having run more than 5 miles. The weather was cold, rainy, and hilly—a true trifecta of misery. But thanks to the magic of youth, I managed to survive and actually did okay. Barely.
2019: The Twin Cities 10-Miler
Fast forward to 2019, when I signed up for a race on a whim after a boozy purse bingo fundraiser (as one does). I’ll never forget the mimosas that fueled that decision. Training was more about socializing than sticking to a plan, but I ran with friends a couple of times a week all summer and had a blast. Race day was everything you’d want: perfect weather, gorgeous scenery, and streets lined with cheering people. The ending was especially epic—downhill, under two fire trucks holding up an American flag, with crowds going wild. It was such an energy boost, I’m surprised I didn’t sign up for another race on the spot.
2025: The Naples Half Marathon
And now, here we are. The Naples Half Marathon Recap. I had high hopes for this one because I’d heard good things, but let me tell you, it was… a journey. First, a little history: the Naples Half Marathon has been around since 1989, organized by Gulf Coast Runners. It’s a small-town race that attracts runners from all over, thanks to the promise of sunny Florida weather in January. But this year’s event? Not quite the dream.
Let’s start with the positives. The weather was decent (73 degrees), and the first part of the route took us past some mega-mansions near the beach. I spent the first couple of miles imagining what it’d be like to live in one of those palaces. But after that? Things went downhill—and not in the fun, gravity-assisted way.
The route consisted of running down a long street, looping around a cul-de-sac, and then backtracking. Then another street, another cul-de-sac. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It felt like running in circles, except not the kind that ends with high-fives and medals. Instead, it was just… lonely. There were hardly any spectators, no energy, and zero music or cheering to keep us motivated.
Oh, and the water situation? At mile 6, the volunteers ran out of cups. By mile 10, there was no water or cups at all. I know it’s a smaller race, but that felt unacceptable. I ended up chatting with another runner afterward, and she said the same thing—the event lacked something. Energy, organization, or maybe just a better route.
My (Semi-Lazy) Training Journey
I’ll own up to this part: my training wasn’t exactly stellar. I used the Runna app and actually followed a plan for the first time. (Yay, me!) But life happens—kids, work, travel—and I only managed about 6.5 weeks of the 10-week plan. So yeah, my performance was on me. Still, I’m proud of myself for finishing. Why? Because last January, I couldn’t run a mile without feeling like I might pass out. This January, I ran 13.1 miles (with some walking near the end, but hey, who’s counting?).
For me, this race wasn’t about setting a personal best. It was about proving to myself that I could do something hard. I talk to my Pilates students all the time about finding measurable successes—whether that’s doing more push-ups or mastering a full sit-up. For me, running the Naples Half Marathon was my measurable success. And even though I was ridiculously stiff and sore for three days, I’m glad I did it.
Insider Tips for Future Runners
If you’re thinking about running the Naples Half Marathon, here’s what you need to know:
- Check the Weather: January in Naples is usually mild, but humidity can sneak up on you. Dress accordingly.
- Bring Your Own Water: Given the issues this year, I’d recommend carrying a hydration pack or handheld bottle.
- Prepare for the Route: Mentally brace yourself for those cul-de-sacs. They’re not exactly inspiring.
- Find Your Own Cheer Squad: Bring friends or family to cheer you on since the streets might be a little quiet.
Will I Run Another Race?
Right now, I’m saying no. Between the lackluster route and my lack of discipline with training, this experience didn’t leave me itching to sign up for another. But never say never, right? Maybe one day I’ll find a race that’s just a big loop with no cul-de-sacs in sight.
Until then, I’m sticking to Pilates, beach walks, and maybe the occasional mimosa-fueled purse bingo. Cheers to measurable successes and doing hard things, even when they’re not perfect!
