Nathan Benderson Park

Dragon Boat 101
2024-04-01 - 2024-04-30
Join the Sport of Legends
Dragon boat paddling is not just a sport, it’s a celebration of unity and resilience. Stemming from Ancient China, this form of boat racing has evolved into a global phenomenon, binding people together in a spirit of fun, fitness and friendship. The vibrant boats, adorned to resemble dragons, symbolize boldness, courage, power and strength – qualities reflected in every paddler. Push your limits and compete in international events year-round with our dedicated competitive team, or join the recreational team for a more relaxed, pressure-free experience.
Join the sport of legends and begin your dragon boat adventure today! Click below to view course dates and pricing.

Register for Dragon Boat 101

My Hometown Fest
2024-03-30 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Each year, My Hometown Fest draws thousands of people from Florida’s Suncoast for a day of fun featuring food from dozens of area restaurants, craft beer samples from around the country, and live music from the region’s best bands. The event features plenty of family friendly activities as well.
To purchase your tickets, please visit https://myhometownfest.com/

Walk to End Summer Hunger
2024-03-24 08:30 - 13:00
Join All Faiths Food Bank to kick off the 2024 Campaign Against Summer Hunger with a walk around Nathan Benderson Park. The walk will mark the start of a six-week-long campaign to raise funds to feed children at risk of hunger over the summer. Register today!

Walk MS: Sarasota 2024
2024-03-23 07:30 - 11:00
A walk that brings together passionate people for a powerful purpose: to end MS forever.
Click here to register now

Hermitage Sunsets at Nathan Benderson Park
2024-03-14 18:30 - 21:00
This is the third installment of three programs scheduled. These outdoor events are one part of many “Hermitage North” programs, series, and collaborations planned throughout the season, spanning Sarasota County and the surrounding region. The programs feature industry-leading and award-winning playwrights, visual artists, musicians, poets, choreographers, and more — all free to the members of our community.
“Hermitage Sunsets @ Nathan Benderson Park: Theater on the Lake” showcases the talents of Hermitage Fellows Terry Guest and James Anthony Tyler. These two talents split the bill to share some of their latest work and discuss the creative process as the sun goes down over the lake. Admission is free, but registration is required ($5/person) at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

Register Now

Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon
2024-03-02 09:00 - 12:00
Bring your family, bring your dogs, bring your friends, and bring your friends’ dogs! This free, family-friendly event includes a 3K walk and a Waggin’ Tails Festival with upbeat music, delicious food, a beer garden, a variety of vendors, and an exciting raffle drawing.

6th Annual Everything Buffalo Party
2024-02-28 17:00 - 22:00
The 6th Annual Everything Buffalo Party will be WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH
This event features all the foods, drinks and favorite things of Buffalo, NY brought to Sarasota for you to enjoy! Hope Rises will be the WNY Charity of Choice again this year as Kate Glaser has done and continues to support and help so many families and charities in Buffalo area. Wagner Realty is back as the Exclusive Real Estate Company Sponsor. We’re here to help YOU with any of your Commercial & Residential needs. www.BUF2SRQ.com

Tickets include entry, parking, entertainment & food buffet, all from Buffalo, a drink ticket, opportunity to see almost 500 fellow Buffalonians and know a portion of proceeds are going to WNY non-profit, Hope Rises!
Ticket on Sale NOW! www.EverythingBuffaloParty.com

Sarasota Invitational Regatta
2024-02-23 08:00 - 2024-02-25 17:00 | Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL, 34235
Host club for this annual regatta is the Sarasota County Rowing Club.
Experience the excitement of sprint racing on one of the best rowing venues in the country! The annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta (SIR), held in February, features three days of youth and masters rowing at Nathan Benderson Park – the site of the 2018 Masters World Rowing and the 2017 World Rowing Championships.
In it’s inaugural year, SIR had a little over 300 boat entries and 600 competitors. Just ten years later, there were almost 800 boat entries and over 1,500 individual competitors and the numbers are growing!SCRC is proud to host the Sarasota Invitational Regatta and greatly appreciates the more than 200 volunteers, numerous sponsors and over 1500 participants who help make this event possible.

American Youth Cup I Regatta
2024-02-17 08:00 - 2024-02-18 17:00
The first of four AYC regattas, this series is a not-for-profit series of regattas leading up to the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships. The series works to give back to the athletes, giving crews opportunities to experience competitive, 2000-meter racing throughout the spring, ultimately preparing them to excel at the USRowing Youth National Championships in June at NBP.
Competing well consistently at the AYC regattas not only helps crews prepare to qualify for the Youth National Championships, but has the added bonus of a possible financial stipend towards their trip to the championships. At the end of the series, the team with the most points for an event is declared the AYC series winner for that event. A team will earn a monetary travel stipend towards their trip to the USRowing Youth National Championships should they be declared the winner of an event, and qualify for Youth Nationals in that event.

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Circus Sarasota
2024-02-16 - 2024-03-10 | Regatta Island, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL, 34235, United States
Sarasota’s hometown circus returns under a brand new, custom-designed Big Top for another year of high-flying action, heart-stopping thrills, laugh-out-loud comedic antics, and acts that defy both expectations and the boundaries of physical limitations, performed by artists from around the globe.
Friday, Feb 16 – Sunday, March 10, 2024
Under the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park
$10 Parking
For easiest access, please arrive 40 minutes prior to show time.
Food, beverages, beer and wine available.
See the circus website for exact dates, times and tickets

USRowing Speed Orders
2024-02-15 - 2024-02-18
2025 Winter Speed Order
W1x, M1x, W2-, M2-
PR1 M1x, PR1 W1x, PR2 M1x, PR2 W1x, PR3 M2-, PR3 W2-
USRowing is committed to fair play. All athletes participating in selection for, and competing as a member of, all U.S. national rowing teams must be in compliance with United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), International Olympic Committee (IOC), United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), FISA and USRowing rules and requirements relating to banned substances, including but not limited to undergoing testing and obtaining and maintaining current therapeutic use exemptions as needed. Failure to adhere to anti-doping rules and requirements may result in an athlete losing eligibility to compete for the United States.
Selection Eligibility:

All competitors must have completed the USRowing Anti Doping Acknowledgement.
All competitors must be current Championship or Legacy Members of USRowing and have a signed liability waiver on file.

A reminder that in order for your membership to be considered current, you must have completed safe sport in the year of the event.

Entries are due by Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:59pm PST. To place an entry, please visit Regatta Central.
Athletes will not be permitted to launch if they are not in compliance with these requirements. To renew or create a Membership, go to www.usrowing.org and click on “Join” or contact member services at 1-800-314-4ROW. To sign your waiver and Anti-Doping Acknowledgement, go here.
For questions contact Michael Zimmer michael.zimmer@usrowing.org

USRowing Speed Orders
2024-02-15 - 2024-02-18
The 2024 USRowing Winter Speed Order serves as an opportunity for rowers to test their speed ahead of April’s National Selection Regatta and gives them a chance to earn automatic invitations to USRowing’s first selection camp of the year. It’s the first step in making this year’s 2024 Senior National Team.
For schedule and full details, visit: USRowing 2024 Winter Speed Order page.

Bridge A Life Superhero 5K
2024-02-10 08:30 - 12:00
The 13th Annual Superhero 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run will start and finish be ON THE ISLAND near the finish tower. This is a Foster Care Awareness Event. In-person and virtual racing options are available.
The Kids’ Fun Run starts at 8:30am. The 5K will be on a CHIP START between 9-9:05am. You will receive an official chip time and place. Master and Overall timed at gun time 9am. USATF Rules.
More than just a race, the Superhero race brings together child welfare agencies and the community to highlight the 1500+ youth who are in local foster care in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties, while providing a family-friendly event with music, a kiddie zone, food, and giveaways.

RoboNation
2024-02-05 - 2024-02-11
Watch the 2024 RoboBoat competition with entries from around the world! High school, undergraduate and graduate students will compete. RoboBoat is an international student program established to generate, cultivate, and enhance a community of innovators capable of making substantive contributions to the Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) domain. Student teams design and build Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASV) and compete in an international competition. RoboBoat competitions unite an enhanced community of innovators, with results capable of making substantive contributions to the maritime field.
Click here to view RoboBoat in action!

Hermitage Sunsets at Nathan Benderson Park
2024-02-02 17:00 - 20:00
This is the second installment of three programs scheduled. These outdoor events are one part of many “Hermitage North” programs, series, and collaborations planned throughout the season, spanning Sarasota County and the surrounding region. The programs feature industry-leading and award-winning playwrights, visual artists, musicians, poets, choreographers, and more — all free to the members of our community.
“Hermitage Sunsets @ Nathan Benderson Park: Theater on the Lake” showcases the talents of Hermitage Fellows Terry Guest and James Anthony Tyler. These two talents split the bill to share some of their latest work and discuss the creative process as the sun goes down over the lake. Admission is free, but registration is required ($5/person) at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Confirmed 2024 dates for this first official season of “Hermitage Sunsets @ Nathan Benderson Park” include:
· Friday, February 2, 2024, at 5pm
· Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 6:30pm

Register Now

Blood Drive
2024-01-27 09:00 - 14:00
January is blood donor month! Join us at our Blood Drive on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9am-2pm. One Blood will here and will thank donors for saving lives with eGift Cards and special One Blood gift rewards for their donations. No need to register in advance – just show up and they will take care of the rest!

Matt Abel Speed Fiesta
2024-01-20 08:00 - 17:00
Hosted by Florida Scholastic Rowing Association. For full details and to register, please visit their event website

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Big Bounce America
2024-01-12 08:00 - 2024-01-14 17:00
Big Bounce America is 25,000 square feet of crazy inflatable fun & action-packed entertainment for all ages. Learn more and purchase tickets on their website: https://thebigbounceamerica.com/event/sarasota/

Book Your Hotel

**Date change** - Learn to Outrigger Canoe
2024-01-12 - 2024-01-14
Learn the Outrigger Canoe
Learn all the basics of this unique sport and techniques to help you perform to your fullest! This sport is a great full body workout, as well as a ton of fun!
Sign up for our 5-hour course, divided into 3 sessions: (See new dates below that were changed due to inclement weather)

Friday, Jan. 12 from 6-7pm via zoom
Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10am-12pm
Sunday, Jan. 14 from 10am-12pm

Cost: $150
To register, click here
History of the Outrigger Canoe:
Outrigger canoe racing evolved as a natural extension of the peoples of Oceania’s use of these amazing craft for their everyday survival in fishing the oceans and in traveling between island groups, culminating in epic journeys of up to and over 3000 miles. These people journeyed in double hulled voyaging canoes which still exist today.
Canoe racing became an important part of island life, as much pride and prestige was placed on victory. During the European occupation of many of the islands, specifically in Hawaii in 1820, canoe racing was effectively banned and paddles were replaced with bibles. Later in 1876 King David Kalakaua reinstated the sport. By 1908 the first two outrigger canoe clubs were founded; Outrigger Canoe Club and Hui Nalu.
Hawaii became the birthplace of contemporary outrigger canoe racing, with a governing body being established in 1950 the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. The sport has since spread far and wide to Tahiti, New Zealand, Samoa, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, USA, Canada, France, England, Italy, South Africa, Guam, Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji and is expanding all the time. There are an estimated 35,000 outrigger canoe paddlers worldwide, and the sport is currently experiencing huge growth.

Alpha Win Triathlon
2024-01-07 06:00 - 17:00
Boasting of “a distance for everyone,” this event has sprint, Olympic and 70.3 triathlons. It’s a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event. Click here for the schedule.

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Weather Date Change - Sarasota Christmas Glow Run 5K
2023-12-17 18:00 - 20:00
This fun, family-friendly festive event features dozens of Christmas decorations at the start and finish line and music that creates an atmosphere that will get your Christmas season started off right! This professionally chip-timed night glow run will be a memorable experience like no other. Athletes run or walk the lakeside Christmas themed course at night. Athletes add to the atmosphere with their complimentary glow products that are included with registration. Spectators will enjoy free live runner tracking with the ​Elite Events Tracker App. …and YES, there is 100% chance of pretty snowfall at the finish!​
National anthem and pre-race instructions are at 5:50 p.m., and the race begins at 6 p.m. Parking is $10 per car.

Register Now

Sarasota Half Marathon & 5k
2023-12-17 07:00 - 11:00
Join in on all the excitement at the Sarasota Half Marathon and 5k at Nathan Benderson Park. The scenic course takes runners through and around the University Town Center area with nearly constant water views.

National Anthem and Pre-Race Instructions start at 6:50 a.m. Both races start at 7 a.m.

Register Now

Plant High Winter Sprints
2023-12-09 08:00 - 2023-12-10 17:00
Click here to learn more and register.

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NBP Veterans New Paddler Day
2023-12-02 09:30 - 11:30 | Regatta Island, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL, 34235, United States
If you’re a military veteran, whether abled, disabled or wounded, there’s room for you on the NBP Veterans paddling team — so fall in and get in sync with us! Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Guardians and Coast Guardsmen alike, come try out paddling and contemplate being part of a team.

Cost: Try your first session for FREE! Learn about Nathan Benderson Park’s world-class paddling program for veterans

Location: Meet us on Regatta Island, down near the boat storage area/launch docks.

You’ll start with on-land training, proper fit of a personal flotation device and paddle, and then get an on-the-water orientation.

Reserve your spot today!

Register for New Paddler Day!

Last Paddler Standing
2023-12-02 - 2023-12-03
Last Paddler Standing is an endurance SUP race. Unlike any other paddle race in the world, Last Paddler Standing is a race of stamina and strategy. Racers will paddle a 3.33-mile loop course, starting and finishing the loop within a one-hour period. The next loop will begin on the hour and the race goes until only one paddler is left standing. At the 48-hour mark, the length of the loop will be increased. Do you have what it takes to be the Last Paddler Standing?

This is a SUP-only race. Paddlers must use a single blade, no double blades allowed. Boards cannot be hybrid sit on top. Prone is allowed but you must have a paddle on the board with you at all times. This race is designed to challenge your endurance, stamina, and strategic thinking. It’s not solely about speed, so don’t select your SUP based on that. The race will start on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 9:00 AM. The race will go until there’s one finisher.

The race is timed with each loop starting on the hour, every hour. Racers must be at the starting line within 10 seconds of the top of the hour. Racers must complete the course loop within the hour time period and be ready to go at the top of the next hour. If the race comes down to two final competitors, the race will continue until one quits. At which point, the final competitor must finish one final solo loop in order to claim the title of Last Paddler Standing.
This race could last only a few hours or it could last for days. It all depends on your mental and physical fortitude!

Sign Up

Florida Turkey Trot Presented By Publix
2023-11-28 07:15 - 12:00
Join nearly 4,000 of your closest friends Thanksgiving morning for the fourth annual Florida Turkey Trot Presented By Publix!
The 5K run/walk begins at 8 a.m., with the Kids Dash at 7:15 a.m.
This event brings runners, joggers and walkers from across the Suncoast and beyond for what’s become a new Thanksgiving tradition. All participants receive a finisher medal and race shirt, as well as food and drink at the after-race party.
This event is a partnership of Fit2Run, The Runners Superstore, and the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, and benefits the Conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation. The Big Bill Foundation is named for former NBP Conservancy board chairman and legendary area businessman Bill Robinson, who began Fit2Run with his son, Parks.

Registration - Coming Soon!

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Gobble Gauntlet
2023-11-25 08:00 - 12:00 | Finish Tower
With three challenge laps, 1,026 stairs to climb, weights to carry, and a Thanksgiving dinner to burn off, Camp Gladiator Sarasota‘s Gobble Gauntlet is a great way to work off the holiday!

Register Now!

Florida Turkey Trot Presented By Publix
2023-11-23 07:15 - 12:00
Join nearly 4,000 of your closest friends Thanksgiving morning for the fourth annual Florida Turkey Trot Presented By Publix!
The 5K run/walk begins at 8 a.m., with the Kids Dash at 7:15 a.m.
This event brings runners, joggers and walkers from across the Suncoast and beyond for what’s become a new Thanksgiving tradition. All participants receive a finisher medal and race shirt, as well as food and drink at the after-race party.
This event is a partnership of Fit2Run, The Runners Superstore, and the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, and benefits the Conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation. The Big Bill Foundation is named for former NBP Conservancy board chairman and legendary area businessman Bill Robinson, who began Fit2Run with his son, Parks.

Register Now

Book Your Hotel

Hermitage Sunsets at Nathan Benderson Park
2023-11-16 17:00 - 20:00
This is the first installment of three programs scheduled. These outdoor events are one part of many “Hermitage North” programs, series, and collaborations planned throughout the season, spanning Sarasota County and the surrounding region. The programs feature industry-leading and award-winning playwrights, visual artists, musicians, poets, choreographers, and more — all free to the members of our community.
The first event in this series – scheduled for Thursday, November 16th at 5pm – features two of the most innovative voices working in theater today. “Hermitage Sunsets @ Nathan Benderson Park: Theater on the Lake” showcases the talents of Hermitage Fellows Terry Guest and James Anthony Tyler. These two talents split the bill to share some of their latest work and discuss the creative process as the sun goes down over the lake. This first program in the new series is presented in partnership with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Urbanite Theatre, and Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy. Admission is free, but registration is required ($5/person) at HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Confirmed 2023-2024 dates for this first official season of “Hermitage Sunsets @ Nathan Benderson Park” include:
· Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 5pm
· Friday, February 2, 2024, at 5pm
· Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 6:30pm

Register Now

NBP Volunteer Appreciation Party
2023-11-15 17:30 - 19:30
Nathan Benderson Park’s annual recognition for exceptional volunteer service and commitment to the park. Invitation only.
View invitation and RSVP
