Running Culture Takes Off in Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach, FL, is known for offering fun in the sun. But the entire Volusia County region also is a great place to have fun on a run. The same wonderful weather that draws people to the beaches also provides an ideal climate for those who want to hit the ground running. Add in a consistent topography (no Heartbreak Hill here), helpful gear shops, and numerous opportunities for group running events and races, and Greater Daytona Beach truly is a runner’s paradise.
“There are so many places in addition to the beaches that are scenic and picturesque,” says Blair LaHaye, director of communications and media for CLASH Endurance, which organizes running events and races in the Greater Daytona Region.
“There are a variety of landmarks and landscapes, especially the water views, that make it a special place for runners.”
Group Runs, Races Appeal to All Ages
Not only is Volusia County filled with great places to run — including the 15-mile (and growing) Spring-to-Spring Trail — but there are also plenty of people willing to join you. For example, since 2009, the West Volusia Runners group has supported the running lifestyle by promoting health and wellness events, many of which are connected to charitable causes. In addition, the running calendar is packed with organized races and other outings. These include Run Daytona (a 15K, 10K and 5K held at the famous Daytona International Speedway auto racing track), the Ponce Inlet Turtle Trek (a 5K fundraiser for the protection and conservation of endangered sea turtles) and the ME STRONG 5K in DeLand (which helps support the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation).
One person who has long enjoyed the wide range of running options in Volusia County is Bill Christy, a medical device entrepreneur and triathlete. In 2021, Christy founded CLASH Endurance as a way to provide a more celebratory atmosphere around running events and other athletic pursuits.
“He would compete in events with his son, and they’d cross the finish line, grab a bottle of water and a banana, then get in the car and head home,” LaHaye says. “He wanted something where family, friends and supporters would come out to these events, have fun and make a weekend of it.”
CLASH Endurance offers a variety of races and distances that allows for all types of athletes, age levels and backgrounds to have fun and compete. These range from triathlons and the Daytona Beach Half Marathon to children’s races for ages 7 to 11.
“But then we also have live music, food trucks, a fitness expo and other wellness events,” LaHaye says. “It’s more of a festival-style experience.”
Local Shops Provide Gear, Training and Community
Proper shoes and clothing are essential for an enjoyable run, and Volusia County has that aspect of the activity covered as well with various running stores and gear shops. One of the most prominent is The Running Elements, which has become something of a hub for area runners since opening in 2016.
“As locals who grew up in Volusia and are now raising our kids here, our focus is on the community,” says Katrina Guevara, who owns the store with her husband, Juan.
“We offer free workshops, training and weekly run-club groups. We also host and sponsor events throughout Volusia County, each with a community giveback donation.”
Over the past nine years, the shop has been dedicated to building a resourceful and supportive local running community, where runners find equipment, along with camaraderie through races and training cycles.
“We want to be a resource that runners can use to be successful,” Katrina Guevara says.
The Running Elements works with podiatrists and physical therapists in Volusia County to ensure that customers have the correct footwear as well as a proper running regimen. In addition, the store promotes a full schedule of running events that take place on roads, trails, beaches and private properties throughout the area.
“There is a wonderfully active running community in this area, with some of the most scenic routes,” Katrina Guevara says. “We want to be kind of a one-stop shop for runners, whether they are looking for anything from a running event to physical-therapy recommendations. We support all the elements of being physical and healthy: the gear, the events and the social community.”
Get to Know Greater Daytona Beach
Want to learn more about living and working in Greater Daytona, FL? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greater Daytona Region – Volusia County, Florida.