More than 400 defy cold to run half marathon at Lakewood Ranch

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The Active Suncoast Foundation succeeded in its mission Sunday of getting people off the sofa, and working on their physical fitness.

Even in 40-degree temperatures, which felt more like freezing.

About 425 runners took part in the annual Suncoast Half Marathon, a 13-mile race that started and ended at Lakewood Ranch Main Street, and twisted and turned its way through the Country Club in between, said race director Karen Haynes.

Michael Lamb, 26, of Bradenton won in a personal

best time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 45 seconds.

"It felt like it was freezing, but it wasn't so bad," Lamb said.

It was a good day for personal bests. Runner-up Corey Peyerk, 32, also turned in a personal best.

"About 48 degrees is ideal, but I didn't think it was too bad," Peyerk said of the race that started at 7 a.m.

The Active Suncoast Foundation is a Florida not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote, educate, and foster active, healthy lifestyles and communities.

The activities are designed to encourage physical activity, physical fitness and a healthy diet, and result in a reduction in various diseases and poor health conditions medically proven by being overweight and leading sedentary lives, according to the Suncoast web page.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twittter @jajones1.

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 11:59 PM with the headline "More than 400 defy cold to run half marathon at Lakewood Ranch ."