Say No To Drugs Holiday Classic

IMPORTANT RACE-WEEK DETAILS! START TIME: First and foremost is that the start time for the race is 7:30AM and is not 8am, as previously planned.  This is due to a request from the City of Clearwater and is out of our control.  PACKET PICK-UP: We will have one pre-race packet pick-up on Wednesday December 6th, from 2:30pm until 5:00pm at Bayside Urgent Care in Clearwater:  1001 S. Ft. Harrison Ave, Clearwater.   It IS ok to pick-up for others.  Please just have their info ready so that the line can move quickly.  Then, starting at 6:00AM on race-morning, you can also pick-up your packet at the bottom of Drew Street, next to The Sound. SHIRTS:  Shirt sizes are not guaranteed, however we try our best to have enough of all appropriate sizes so that you can have a shirt that fits you well.  PARKING: Please click this PARKING MAP to see all of the parking lots available from the City.  Please obey all parking signs. START/FINISH:  All races start at the bottom of Drew Street, next to The Sound at the same time and place starting with the 5K and 10K, followed a few minutes later with the 1-mile kids race, which will go around the park.  Please note that the 1-mile kids race is for kids and is actually only .85 of a mile. RESTROOMS:  We will have a few portolates at the starting line, plus there are lots of nice, clean restrooms in The Sound, which is very close to the starting line.  PANCAKE BREAKFAST:  Immediately following the race, please make your way to The Sound, where we will have our traditional breakfast, expo and awards on the Lawn, directly in between the Library and The Sound venue. EXPO: We have LOTS of items to give away this year.  Please get your ticket at the breakfast and wait to hear the numbers called.  This is always a lot of fun. As always, we look forward to another successful event and seeing you there next week.

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Come join us for the 33rd Annual Say No To Drugs Holiday Classic!  We missed you last year but are so excited to see you again at the brand-new Coachman Park on Saturday, December 9th at 7:30AM!

Fresh pancakes are back!

Finisher medals!

Awesome shirts!

1-mile kids race, plus kid-friendly 5K and 10K over the beautiful Memorial Causeway Bridge!  

This is an out-and-back course, starting at Coachman Park, over the bridge and back.   The 1 mile kids race will circle Coachman Park with lots of race marshals for your kids safety.

Lots and lots of free raffle giveaways at the post-race expo as usual.

Everyone knows someone who has had their lives affected or even devastated because of drugs or alcohol abuse. More specifically, due to the use of illegal drugs or the abuse or misuse of prescription drugs.  The mission of the Say No To Drugs race is to raise awareness and education about this to as many people as possible, while offering an alternative which is to go for a run, get in shape, run a race and connect with positive, like-minded people.  

Many times the reason people resort to drugs is because of an emotional problem, upset or situation in their life. As runners and athletes, we know that going for a run, being active and eating healthy can be very beneficial and are a much better solution than drugs. So let's spread that message, while educating people about the true, harmful effects that drugs can have on a person's life.

Financial support for the race comes only from local businesses as well as from race entry fees.  After race expenses are paid, available proceeds go to local charities and children’s organizations.  No monies related to the Say No To Drugs race go to or from political or religious organizations.

Charitable donations are given annually to organizations such as the Boy Scouts (Council & Troops), Girl Scouts (Council & Troops), Challenged Athletes Foundation, Police Athletic League and others.  Our hope is that with the help of our financial contribution, that these groups and others, can help further their goals to help as many people as they can.

History: 34 years ago, this race was started by local resident and elite runner Sandra Johnson. She wanted to follow along with Nancy Reagan’s slogan of “Just Say No”. A few years later, some local Clearwater residents (all non-paid volunteers) took over the organizing of the 501(c)3 charity race and continues to this day with the help of hundreds of volunteers and wonderful people