Half Marathon..which one..

Of the ones you listed, the ING Miami Half would be my choice.

If you're open to others the Naples HM in January is also very good.  Artguably the best HM in Florida.

Bill

I've run the Melborune full the last few years. Not bad at all. Skipping it this year though.

My son and I ran the Dayton Beach 1/2 last year. So here's my feelings on that race... If you're a nascar fan, maybe you'll think this is awesome. I'm not a nascar fan, but starting on the race track was kinda cool. But 2.5 miles around the track in strong wind and I was ready to get the hell off that track.  Then you run through some pretty nasty/dirty areas of Dayton Beach. You spend a grand total of about 1/10 of a mile along side the beach. Then back you go.

As far as we were concerned, it was a one-and-done race for us.  I've heard someone mention they're going to change the route for that race. That would certainly help in my opinion.

Bottom line... If I had to drive more than an hour or so AND wasn't a nascar freak, I'd definitely skip the Dayton Beach 1/2.

Ft. Lauderdale A1A is an excellent- better for the half than the full.  Finish line beer truck unlimited.  Finish is at the beach - flat only one bridge to cross at about mile 2.5 and then up and down A1A. 

Miami ING is a much larger event than the rest of the races you listed - more likely to have bigger fan support and bigger event experience.

I have run the half and the full at Ft. lauderdale the last two years and am running ING full this year.

I would like to toss in a couple of other Central Florida based Half Marathons:

Orange Blossom HM on March 3rd in Tavares, for more info go here.

Lake Minneola HM on April 20th in Clermont, for more info go here.

Because I have promised the BT Gods that I would be a good forum poster, I can't say too much about these races in the BT forums, except to answer questions about them. So, please visir the two links, and let me know how I can help you pick your next Half Marathon.

Thanks,
Mark 

I'm biased, but I'd add the Sarasota Half in March. 

My son did Naples a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.

Mark

ING Miami is expecting 27,000 runners this year apparently. Which means ... it's going to be a crowded mess. Seriously the starting miles will be so crowded you can barely move and around mile 10 its just a mess because the crowd gets all over the street. It's my home race so I'll run it even though it's a pain in my opinion ... probably only the half because the course for the full sort of stinks. Plus I think it's hard to keep the mileage up over the holidays for the full.

I love the A1A half. I think it's a great race. There is one section that goes through a park - some people hate that section. I love it though - so for me this would be the vote.

Thanks for all the feedback.  These are the races I chose:

Key West Half, Melbourne Half, Orange Blossom Half, and Key Biscayne Half.

The A1A looks fun and great looking run, just have a schedule conflict that weekend.

Thanks again!