On Sunday, August 8, FloDash Sports organized the “Last Loop Race” event at the Clay Road in Clermont. The fabled clay road is located across from Lake Louisa State Park on south Hwy. 27.
The unpaved route includes 9.8 mile-long sections of Bradshaw, Schofield, and Five Mile Roads. It has been a low-impact runners’ paradise for many years. This could be the organized race on the clay. “The impact of running on these roads is extremely forgiving and gentle on our bodies”, stated Amalie Skorman of FloDash. She continued, “in addition to the beautiful landscape; its isolation from the busy world makes it near impossible to resist spending your fitness miles out there.”
The race drew 1,015 paid race entries with participants from as far away as Canada, Colorado, New York and more. The AdventHealthClermont Clay 15K & 5K presented by CEMEX, owned by the nonprofit South Lake Multisport Events and organized by FloDash Events, LLC. The team pulled off another successful race to bring awareness and raise funds, over $90,000 up to date, essentially to put back into the running community in South Lake County. Many participants stayed overnight in local hotels with more dining and shopping at local businesses in addition to the fundraising success.
Why the Last Loop? Due to development in the area, part of the clay road will be paved starting at the end of summer. While the full loop is now 9.8 miles, once paving of Schofield Road begins, it is uncertain the kind of access pedestrians will have out there or if a dirt trail will remain for fitness. When participants found out that the October race was moved to August, instead of panicking about the heat, they trusted FloDash owners and race directors Kimberly Grogan, Amalie Skorman and Brian Boylan to produce a top-quality event.
The organizational team along with volunteers provided bountiful on-course hydration, plenty of medics and a fabulous post-race spread. The race was everything participants need and expect at a professionally run event. 120 volunteers were involved on course to make sure everything went according to plan. Clubs of volunteers included Swim Like A Pro, Winter Garden Wheel Works, Windermere High School FFA, Windermere High School Science National Honor Society, Windermere High School Make A Wish and the Lake Minneola High School Marching Bands.
This highly popular and very well-attended race highlights the value of this type of running and training course. Organizers and local participants hope that another Lake County agency creating and operating parks can find a way to recreate this type of track for local residents.
For more information on the Clermont Clay races or all other FloDash Events, please go to flodash.com or follow @flodashevents on social media.
Courtesy Photos by Jason Kolansiski, Byron Faudie of Esports Photography and High School volunteer Om Vishanagra.
