7th Annual Marathon FL Super Boat Grand Prix this weekend!

Dozens of teams are expected to invade the Florida Keys this weekend as the 7th Annual Super Boat Grand Prix gets underway at Marathon, Florida from May 15th through the 17th. You can join thousands of spectators who roll in for the fun and excitement as the roar big horsepower flies by--sometimes within 50 yards of the shore! Marathon has always been one of the top sites for race-watching, since there is plenty of room on the beach, waterside restaurants and other public areas to watch these speeding boats fly by. Among the favorite spots are near the Seven Mile Bridges, where you can see boats pass under at speeds of up to 150 MPH.


Marathon is always one of the summer's biggest highlight events, and especially so this year, as racers are all excited about the new TV deal that will kick off this fall with CBS Sports. As a result, this race and other qualifying races will be broadcast on TV later in the year, which is expected to be a real boost for Offshore racing in America. For competitors, this is a sanctioned qualifying race, leading up to a shot at the National Championship Title, sanctioned internationally by U.I.M. and APBA Offshore in North America. For fans, the Marathon area is filled with great places to visit and hang out, and the race village is to be set up at the City of Marathon event field, at mile marker 52 oceanside across from the Marathon Airport. Dry pits are to be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 15-17. There is no charge for admission to the race village.

PHOTO CREDITS: Super Boat International

The Sunday race is to take place in the waters around Marathon. Starting on the gulf side of the famed Seven Mile Bridge, boats are to race under the historic bridge on the north side of Pigeon Key to the riskier ocean side, make two left turns, then run back under the bridges. A right turn sends the high-speed boats thundering past the shoreline and grandstands. The racers then must negotiate a tight 180-degree turn to run the long straightaway in front of fans back to the starting point. Another sharp left turn begins the route all over again. The course measures approximately six miles.

For more information, go to the Super Boat International site here.