SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (October 4, 2018) – During the month of October, Gulf Place will host a series of events, including the 30A Half Marathon and 5K, a OneBlood drive, and the 15thAnnual Witch Ride, each benefitting different charities and non-profits.
Gulf Place will serve as the official headquarters for the third annual 30A Half Marathon and 5K, presented by The 30A Company and 360 Blue. All proceeds from this year’s race will benefit The Sonder Project, a global nonprofit organization focused on high-impact, sustainable solutions aimed at ending extreme poverty and hunger worldwide. The event will kick off that Friday, October 12, with the 30A BBQ Festival from 6 to 9 p.m. which will take place at the Marina Park in WaterColor. Festivities will include live entertainment along with unlimited BBQ and beer for guests to enjoy. On Saturday, October 13, racers and guests are invited to the packet pickup and expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gulf Place. The main event will begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 14, with the start of the half marathon, followed by the 5K which starts at 7:25 a.m. Finishers will receive a custom medal, while all participants will receive a race t-shirt and goody bag. New this year is the introduction of a prize purse, featuring over $20,000 in cash prizes to award the overall top five men and women as well as the top masters for the men and women.
On Friday, October 19, the OneBlood Big Red Bus willbe in the Gulf Place parking lot, located behind the stage, beginning at 11 a.m. for a community blood drive. OneBlood is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community asset responsible for providing safe, available and affordable blood. All donors receive a wellness checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature and iron count, as well as a cholesterol screening. Blood that is donated on October 19 will likely be transfused within two to three days in order to fulfill the constant and ever-present need for blood. For those wondering if they qualify as a candidate for donation or to learn more about the importance of blood donation and how donors can target the power of their blood type, visit oneblood.org.
Kick off the Halloween festivities with the 15thAnnual Witch Ride beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 31, at Gulf Place. Each year, the Witches of South Walton, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Carol Stafford and Lee Thompson, host the ride event in order to raise money for the Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) in Santa Rosa Beach. In 2017, the event raised over $8,800 for CVHN and this year the Witches of South Walton hope to reach their goal of $10,000. Registered riders can expect to enjoy a leisurely morning bike ride along Hwy. 30A, followed by a Gathering Brunch at Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar. Participants are welcome to bring their own bikes or rent one from Big Daddy’s Bike Shop located in Gulf Place. Rider registration is now open for $40 in advance or $50 the morning of. To learn more about the event, visit the Witches of South Walton website at http://www.witchesofsouthwalton.com.