Sarasota named top spot for sports

SARASOTA — SportsEvents Magazine readers named Sarasota the Sports-Friendliest Vacation Destination.

The area, through Visit Sarasota County, the tourism-marketing arm, received more than 1,000 votes.

“We are thrilled to have this honor,” Sarasota Sports Commission Director Nicole Rissler says in a release. “We know that the presence of beaches, great dining and parks, arts and more are a selling point for many of the participants coming to the area for a sporting event. We are excited to know that others feel the same as we do.”

Participants in the contest were encouraged to vote hourly and provide reasons why Sarasota deserved the award, the release states. Beaches, shopping and dining, combined with excellent sporting event venues, were factors in the win, Visit Sarasota County officials say in the release.

Sarasota County recently hosted the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final, among other events.