2012 ,Sarasota, New Years Day, Joey Gratton Memorial, Fun Run 1-1-12

Ryan Beckley

Charter Member / Competitor
2012 Sarasota, New Years Day Fun Run

This years run will be a memorial for our friend Joey Gratton. He made the run with us every year, but passed away racing in The Key West, World Championships on 11-11-11.....

Starting at noon at the Sarasota 10th St Boat ramp at Centenial Park.

more details soon....
 
There are lots of peple coming from all over, we may run Saturday and Sunday. The is a really cool new place on the Manatee river that would be great to run too. A lot of people are staying at the Ramada Inn on the water by the airport. We can go where ever the weather permits. There will be a few photogs there shooting pics as well and I have also heard from a couple of magazines that want to cover the run this year. We had lunch with Joey's boys the other day and they'll be there as well.
 
The Tarpon Point Grill, on The Manatee River wants to work with us. This is an awesome new facility with two big TIKI bars. They want to have a cook out menue for us with some thing like this for $14.00 per head including tax and tip.

http://www.tarponpointegrill.com/

Chicken/Burger/or Hot Dogs (King size – no way to describe them they are very large)
Cole Slaw
Bag of Chips
Brownie
Tea/Lemonade

Please review and let me know your thoughts.
 
Phantom #9 is showing up. If anybody wants to store his boat "covered" over the weekend from the 30 - 1st. you are welcome to do this for free. my shop "MARKER 1 MARINE" it is less than 5 min from the ramp. corner of N Orange Ave and 12 St.

Mark Niemann 941-320-4960
 
I certainly would love to ride with everyone ..but were leaving on our trip Monday at 9 am ,,I wish everyone a happy and safe ride ,,
 
I certainly would love to ride with everyone ..but were leaving on our trip Monday at 9 am ,,I wish everyone a happy and safe ride ,,


Just leave the keys in the boat at Ryans and we'll come take care of everything for you........:reddevil:
 
We'll be getting to the Sarasota 10th St Ramp at 10:30 to 11 ish. Plenty of parking there for everyone. Shoot 2 Thrill Pix will be shooting photos off of the Ringling bridge from 11-12 it is a great vantage point for aerial shots. At Noon we'll head north across Sarasota Bay up in to the intercoastal, through Cortez and out into Tampa Bay. We'll go east onto Tampa Bay, into the Manatee River. Keep heading east through Downtown Bradenton passe the three bridges and the Tarpon Point is just past the big US 41 bridge just east of the Manatee Memorial Hospital. Tarpon Point has several docks and we'll tie up and raft up there. There are plenty of other ramps in the area and St Pete for those that want to come another route. I would guess we'll be arriving at Tarpon Point between 1-1:30 and stay for 3-4 hours. They'll have, food, drinks, music, corn hole and more. Please bring ropes and bumpers to tie off, be safe, have fun.

We'll all be thinking of Joey Gratton, Bob Morgan and JT Tillman, guys who loved boating as much as the rest of us.

See you soon.

PS A few of us will be cruising around Sarasota on New Years eve as well.......
 
Been on the phone, wish I could have been there.


Great turnout, over 60 boats.....


Pete said he has over 700 photos to review with the turnout. He shot from a few places. The start, from one of the bridges, lunch, final stop, etc.


Freeze shot from the helo. I don't know if any of the boats went on the outside or not for sure. It sounded like they all stayed inside on the Bay and the River.


60 boats is one heck of a turnout. I'm sure Joey enjoyed the event and appreciated the attendance.


Can't wait to hear more....
 
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