Jacksonville Beach's longest-running athletic tradition hits the sand Saturday, Aug. 15, when the 61st Annual Summer Beach Run kicks off at 6 p.m. at Seawalk Pavilion.

The race, organized by 1st Place Sports and billed by the organizer as Florida's oldest running event, offers three distances: a 5-mile run and a 5K starting at 6 p.m., plus a 1 Mile Fun Run at 6:05 p.m. The 5-mile race carries prize money for overall winners and counts toward the Jacksonville Grand Prix series.

Registration through Friday, Aug. 14, costs $50.14 for the 5-mile or 5K and $28.74 for the 1 Mile Fun Run, according to the event's Race Roster page. Race-day sign-ups jump to $55.49 for the longer distances. Runners can register online or in-store at 1st Place Sports.

The event has deep roots in the Beaches community. Beach Gazette columnist Jon Lynn, writing in his Aug. 13 "Dropping In" column, recalled watching his father compete decades ago: "My dad always ran the Summer Beach Run, which is this weekend and remains one of those late-summer traditions that makes the beaches such a great place to live."

The race has been held annually since approximately 1966, making it a fixture of late-summer life on the Jacksonville Beaches for more than six decades.

All finishers receive a custom medal and a technical tank top. Post-race festivities include food from title sponsor Tijuana Flats, free beer and a live band at the pavilion. Age-group awards go to top finishers in both the 5K and 5-mile events.

Race contact Ryann Lohman of 1st Place Sports can be reached at [email protected] for questions.

Results will be posted online after the event.