The First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon returns Sunday, March 19, for the 12^th year. Last year's race drew 3,000 participants and added almost $3.5 million to the Sarasota economy, while also raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Eighty-seven percent of last year's runners came from out of town, with 46 percent of these staying in a local hotel, generating an estimated 1,385 room nights and $866,573 in total expenditures, an increase of 28 percent over 2015, which had $843,313 total expenditures. The St. Jude partnership includes allocating a portion of the registrations for runners who want to support the hospital even after the event sells out and offering special VIP perks as a thank you for their support. Register here.