Race: Parrots & Margaritas 5K 🍹🦜

Runner: Coach Stephanie Hamilton

Race Date: 09/05/2026

Location: Key West, Florida 🏝

Results: 19:27

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

• I loved the atmosphere! The vibe was very “Key West”, which always makes for a fun experience! One of my favorite aspects of local road races is seeing the community come out and enjoy the running and racing environment!
• The post-race party was a blast! The race was put on by a local restaurant, Kaya Island Eats, and they provided refreshing beverages and delicious food following the race.
• Given this was a local event, I really enjoyed seeing and recognizing athletes from previous races! I am relatively new to the area and am thrilled to be expanding my running circle on the island!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The humidity! 🥵 But that’s just Florida for you!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

I have to say I was not expecting to look back at the finish line and see a group of runners with shots in hand and a beer wagon in tow! Like I said, VERY Key West! 😂

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

It has been a while since I raced a 5K, and coming off marathon training, I wasn’t sure how much speed I would have in me. I am proud that I raced smart, did not go out too fast, and was able to maintain my pace for the duration of the race to achieve my goal of running sub-20!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Hydration is key for all races, but especially when running in the Florida heat and humidity! Be sure to drink plenty of salt and electrolytes prior to race day!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There are a lot of turns, so remembering that “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line” will ensure you are not taking unnecessary steps and adding unnecessary distance!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It is! The race starts on the iconic Duval Street, lined with tropical boutiques and restaurants, and then takes you through the gorgeous Truman Waterfront Park.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course is flat, but there are a lot of sharp turns that disrupt your cadence. It is the perfect course for a community “fun run”, but not a course you are going to break any records on!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

I was pleasantly surprised with the organization! The race was put on by a local restaurant, Kaya Island Eats, so I was not expecting it to run as smooth as it did! Packet pickup was efficient, the gun went off on time, and results were available online immediately following the race.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This is not a very competitive race, but it is a lot of fun!
Top Three Males: 18:53, 19:20, 20:22
Top Three Females: 19:27, 21:11, 21:53

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

This is the third annual Parrots & Margaritas 5K, and it grows every year, but registration was still open the day before. September is the slowest month of the year in Key West, and even though the race takes place over Labor Day Weekend, there are plenty of available hotels and accommodations if you are coming from out of town!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

There was a water station set up at the halfway point. They also had a hydration station set up at the finish line.

Weather and typical race conditions

HOT AND HUMID! It was 85 degrees with 76% humidity when the gun went off at 8am.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

I recommend bringing a towel and change of clothes for after the race so that you are comfortable when enjoying the post-race party!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It is! Spectators lined most of the course cheering on their friends and family. Both the start and finish are straight aways, which made it very convenient for viewers!

How’s the Swag?

Each participant received a themed race shirt and engraved margarita glass! Both the shirt and glass are great quality!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Five stars! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This is a great race if you are looking to get your body moving and have fun doing it!