Marathon has one of the prettiest beaches in the Keys. It’s two miles off of Highway One so you don’t get drive-by traffic as you do on some of the beach spots in the Upper Keys or even on the main Key West beaches. This gives it a more relaxing, remote and escapist feel than any other beach. It’s free, there’s plenty of parking and the facilities are new, spotless and beautiful. The beach is spotless and pleasant too and the swimming is good. The soft, deep sand invites you to dig in your toes and stay all day. There are picnic benches, shade areas, a park next door, nice bathrooms and stunning ocean side views. The beach is surrounded on two sides by water: the south side and the west side. The west side is terrific for catching the famous Florida Keys sunsets. Sombrero Beach curls inward on itself, east to west, which in the morning and late afternoon makes for fantastic race pictures when the sun is low.

Directions....

To get here turn off of US 1 onto Sombrero Beach Road at mile marker 50 (by Publix and Kmart) and follow for two miles to the end of the road. If you’re riding a bicycle, there’s a wide bike path the entire route from Oversees Highway to the beach. Bring your lunch, your dog, your kids - whatever you want for a day at the races.

Parking...

Marathon High School’s Leadership Club is offering parking at the high school for $3 with a free shuttle to 

Sombrero Beach provided by Kukukonkanut’s flaming pink bus. The school is located on Sombrero Beach Road about a mile from the race site.