Life and Island Times July 24 2016– Red Zorro

This is from 2014.

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For almost three decades islanders have watched a bare-chested man run daily in a lady’s red hat. If you are on the sidewalk, his approach is announced by horse shoe clacking (he wears metal plates on the soles of his shoes to prevent them from wearing down too quickly).

Next into view comes his giant red hat flapping in the wind. Always smiling, you will hear him exclaim as he passes you by in his trademark red running shorts “Top of the morning!” or “Top of the evening!” It is obvious that he cares for people, loves telling them so, and is a bit of an attention seeker.

For years he ran on Christmas Day with bells on. He quit after large dogs reacted angrily. On Federal holidays, he carries a large American flag on a pole.

He starts his run off at Roosevelt Boulevard and Duck Avenue and turns around at Denny’s on Duval Street. When he makes his turn, he lets out a rooster cry “Er-er-er-er-errr!” If locals are within earshot, they echo his cry. Really.

The island’s nickname for him came long ago, when a woman came up to him at the grocery store and said, “You’re Zorro.” He was confused at first.

“You’re Zorro,” the woman said again. “The runner, Zorro.”

The name stuck.

His hat draws various laughs – some who get it take real joy in it while others react sarcastically. Red Zorro is an enigma — much like Key West. He is slightly weird, but he not only knows but celebrates it. He like other self-actualized island weirdoes is a step ahead of people who have not yet figured out that they are weird.

Red Zorro running along North Roosevelt

Footnote: Red Zorro is the owner of AmeriMortgage and AmeriRealty in Key West. “Making the American dream a reality!” is the latter’s slogan. Red Zorro’s personal motto is unknown.

Copyright © 2016 From My Isle Seat