Turtle Krawl 5K — 09/12/26 — Indialantic
Race season is officially back. On Saturday, September 12, the Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year Series (ROY) launched its 2026-2027 season at the Turtle Krawl 5K in Indialantic, and runners showed up in force — 1,173 finishers crossed the line at Nance Park to kick things off in style.
Logan Chapman, 21, ran away with the overall win in 16:26.4, while James Chapman, 55, held on for second in 17:31.3 — a Chapman 1-2 finish to open the series. Steve Hedgespeth, 48, rounded out the men’s podium in 18:04.9.
On the women’s side, Sarah Simonetti, 36, took the overall title in 20:15.3, with Marina Nazario, 33, close behind in 21:56.4. Natalie Anderson, 38, completed the top three in 22:20.3.
OVERALL MEN
Logan Chapman, 16:26.4
James Chapman, 17:31.3
Steve Hedgespeth, 18:04.9
OVERALL WOMEN
Sarah Simonetti, 20:15.3
Marina Nazario, 21:56.4
Natalie Anderson, 22:20.3
MASTERS Jerry Kalka, 18:53.9 Kristy Perkins, 22:27.9
GRAND MASTERS Nils Kuehn, 19:50.1 Heather Burnham, 23:22.1
SENIOR GRAND MASTERS Kurt Lundquist, 21:31.8 Rosemarie Gilbert, 24:59.2
TEAM DIVISION
Power of Pizza Charities Race Team
Tropical Run Crew Space Coast
DC Roofing Inc
Beyond the results sheet, the real winner of the day was the sea turtle. The Turtle Krawl has been Indialantic’s signature end-of-summer race for years, and every entry fee, every sponsorship dollar, and every finisher medal goes toward a cause bigger than a finish line. The race benefits the Sea Turtle Preservation Society, which has spent more than 35 years protecting sea turtles and their habitat right here in Brevard County. Proceeds fund STPS’s education and conservation programs — including support for the Brevard Zoo’s Sea Turtle Healing Center, rescue and transport of injured turtles, nesting surveys, night walks, and outreach programs that keep the community connected to the species that call our beaches home.
With over 1,100 runners and walkers on course, this year’s Turtle Krawl once again proved it’s one of the largest and most beloved 5Ks on the Space Coast — and a fitting way to launch a new ROY season. Whether you were chasing a PR, running with your team, or just there to support a great cause, everyone who crossed that finish line helped fund another year of sea turtle conservation in Brevard County.
The series continues throughout the season, with points and standings building race by race. See you at the next one — Sprint for Sight 5K on October 3rd!
Full race results: https://spacecoastrunners.org/race-results/
Photos: https://flutteringshuttersphotography.pixieset.com/turtlekrawl2026/