Independence Double

Low-key, no frills 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, and 50K for two days (Saturday and Sunday). 

Bettie held the first Labor Day Triple in 2022 because she needed a triple that weekend. She was trying to get as many half marathons that year as she possible could and was dismayed to discover there was no triple to be found. She couldn't even find a double. In desperation, she announced a low-key, casual, no-frills event. As long as she was going to have a half marathon, might as well add a 5K, 10K, and full marathon.  The bigger-than-expected response led to all the events since, including the Holiday Five and Sunshine Double.

You might be curious why Bettie needed the runs so much in 2022. Well, Bettie likes setting goals. She first set a goal of running a marathon in all the states, then getting to 100 marathons, then getting to 300 marathons so she could get on the Mega Marathon List, then completing at least 100 marathons in a year, then moving up on the Mega Marathon List, then another 100 in a year, then becoming the third North American woman to reach 600 total marathons. When running full marathons became too much, she  switched to half marathons. At that time (2021), the most half marathons recorded in a year was 143--not too impressive. Hence, another goal:  to break that record.  She managed 156 in 2022, with help of the first Labor Day Triple.

It must be mentioned that in 2023, Bettie's good friend Debbie Del Favero surpassed the 156 in fine style by completing 213! Way to go, Debbie!

COURSES:

There are two main courses—one for the full marathon/half marathons/50K, and another for the 5K/10K. 

These courses are on a paved, urban run/bike trail that is flat and largely shaded. The courses are open and include two street crossings. You are responsible for crossing safely.

Marathon/half marathon/50K course:  Each lap consists of two out-and-back segments. The first segment is a short out-and-back through the length of the parking lot (designed to pass the restrooms), referred to as the parking lot segment. Then there is a longer out-and-back on Cady Way Trail, referred to as the trail segment.  For the marathon/half marathon/50K, the complete lap is approximately 2.2 miles. The Marathon is 12 complete laps, the half marathon is 6 laps, and the 50K is 14 complete laps plus 2 short (parking lot) segments. 

5K and 10K course: Each 5K/10K lap consists of the same parking lot out-and-back, and an out-and-back on Cady Way Trail (but not quite as far out as the half/full course), resulting in a complete lap of approximately 1.55 miles. The 5K is 2 of these complete laps and the 10K is four complete laps.  

There is partial shade in the parking lot and on the trail, and each course passes by the aid station twice each lap.  Turn arounds for each distance will be clearly marked. The first turn-around on the trail is for the 5K/10K, and the second turn-around is for the e50K, full marathon and half marathon.

Race Start Times:  The full marathon, half marathon, and 50K start at 5:00 am. The 5K and 10K start at 6:00 am.

Bib Pickup:  Race bibs will be available at the race location starting about 45 minutes prior to race start. If you are running multiple days, you will use the same bib for all the days.

Races Not Certified:  These races are NOT certified, and therefore not Boston qualifiers.

Time Limit: All distances have a 9.5-hour time limit. This is a little "squishy," and as long as you're doing your best, we will allow you to finish, including medal and posted finish time.

Timing/Finish:  We are hand timed. We try very hard to capture your time accurately. Be sure to let us know you are finished by ringing the bell. Also, announce it to the race timer. Be sure you hear your time repeated back to you. The finish line turns off the course for a few feet to keep you out of the traffic lane when you finish.

Water/beverages:  We will have plenty of water, and soda. This is a cupless race, though, so you will need a water bottle or hydration device. There will be a table for your bottles.

Snacks:  We will provide sweet and salty snacks. In hot weather, we will provide pickles, pickle juice, and olives.

Strollers and/or dogs are allowed, keeping in mind that the course is narrow in a few places, and you might have to yield to others. No bicycle pacing.

Parking:  There is plenty of convenient parking at the race location. You’ll probably be able to pass right by your car every lap (~2.2 miles). We'll have signs to indicate the location. Look for the Cady Way Swim Club (near Showalter Field). 

Early Start: No, sorry. We already have early start times for the longer distances, and our permit does not allow early starts.

Late Starts:  You will be allowed to start late as long as you have time to complete your event within the allotted race time. Your official time, however, begins at the start of your race distance.

Deferrals:  If you registered and find out you can’t make, contact Bettie at bettiemw@gmail.com and ask about a deferral.

Bad Weather:  We will not cancel any race unless there is imminent threat of lightening, or other life-threatening danger.

If you have any other questions, please email Bettie at bettiemw@gmail.com. 

We have three other events scheduled during the next year. 

The  LaborDayTriple  is Labor Day Weekend, September 5, 6, and 7, 2026.

Next is the HolidayFive  December 27-31, 2026. 

Last is the SunshineDouble the first weekend in May, 2027. 

Dates:                          Saturday, June 27, 2026 and Sunday, June 28, 2026
Place:                          Cady Way Park (Trailhead), 2529 Cady Way, Winter Park, FL 32792
What:                          Independence Double-- 50K, Marathon, Half marathon, 10K, and 5K each day
Start Times:                 Marathon, half marathon, and 50K -- 5:00 am;  5K and 10K -- 6:00 
Time limit:                   9.5 hours (or so...)
Parking:                       Cady Way Park. GPS coordinates:  N 28.59458, W -081.31670.  Also, there is  an overflow parking lot nearby and a school across the street. All locations  are convenient.
 
WARNING: Before you register, Read everything below. Here are the main points:

     NOT chip timed. Our races are hand-timed.
     Start times—see above.
     Courses not certified. Not a Boston qualifier. 
     No age group awards, no t-shirts, no bling.
     Cupless—bring your own bottle

STOP!  Before you register, keep reading!  These events are no frills, low-key, casual, and fun events. Great for first timers, maybe not so great for a PR. This is NOT a certified or sanctioned course—meaning, among other thing, NOT a Boston qualifier. Don’t expect much. Maybe you won’t be very disappointed.

You DON’T get  a t-shirt, hat, socks, or any other apparel, great bling (actually, any bling), cute reusable race bag, age group awards, spectators lining the course, crowds cheering you in, hot food at the finish, exciting music, and a party afterward, all on a certified course. There are plenty of events that have those things.

You DO get  low entry fees (which is why you don't get that other stuff), courses that are guaranteed not short, a simple finisher’s medal, a generous time limit, and a published finish time. But isn’t that all you really need?  You know you want to sign up. Really, where else can you run a marathon for $65? Or a 5K for $30?  And you also get easy, convenient parking, great locations for supporters, and a lot of friendly support from other runners. 

COURSES:  The courses are lap courses, meaning that you’ll do a short loop multiple times. Which also means you’ll see other runners going and coming. Not as boring as it might sound. The paved, urban run/bike trail is flat and largely shaded. This is an open course, and includes two street crossings each lap. You are responsible for crossing safely. More course details can be found under Detailed Course Descriptions above.
 
-- The lap for the marathon, half marathon, and 50K is approximately 2.2 miles. The full marathon is twelve laps, the half is six laps, and the 50K is fourteen laps plus two short laps at the end. 

-- The lap for the 5K and10K is approximately 1.55 miles—two laps for the 5K and four laps for the 10K. 

Turn arounds for each distance will be clearly marked. Rubber bands will be available to help you keep track of your laps.  

START/FINISH/AID STATION: The only aid station is at the start/finish location, which you will pass twice each lap. We will provide chilled water, Gatorade, and soda, and we will have sweet and salty snacks. In hot weather, we will also have pickles, olives, and pickle juice. This is a CUPLESS race. Bring your own hydration device—water bottle, hydration belt/pack. We'll have a table for your bottles.  

HEAT:  Florida is typically hot and humid. We will provide ice for your water, Gatorade, soda, and your water bottle. Also we will have a bucket of ice water for you to dip your hat, cooling towel, etc.    

BATHROOMS: The bathrooms are a little walk from the start/finish, but you’ll pass them during each lap.

LIGHT: It will be just starting to break daylight at the start,but there will still be a few dark areas on the course. (Sunrise is at 6:30.)  We recommend you have a light for the first lap.

DROP BAG: The start/finish is in a small pavilion, where you may leave a drop bag. There is space for you to set up your own chair, or for friends and family to see you each lap. Great venue for a cheering section.

FINISH LINE: When you finish, ring the bell, or be sure to let the timer know you’re finished. Without this, you won’t get a finish time—or at least not an accurate time. Remember we are hand-timed—no timing chips! We won't know to record your time if you don't tell us you're done.

If you are still undecided (congratulations for reading this far), and you want to know what to expect, we won’t likely have world class athletes based on speed, but we will likely have world class athletes based on numbers of marathon completed. Think four-digit numbers. Just imagine the stories!

VOLUNTEERS: We always need volunteers. Each full volunteer day earns a free long run (half marathon or full marathon) or two short runs (5K or 10K).  

BMW Running Company