Gasparilla Distance Classic

Gasparilla is my favorite race of the year. This was my 4^th year participating. The course is flat and right on the water, so you have beautiful scenery as you make your way through whatever race you choose. The 5k has a ridiculous amount of people running so prepare to frogger through at least the first mile and be patient. I like the 8k because there are fewer people. After the Sunday races The Columbia caters their rice, beans, and 1905 salad (mmm). The only problem is you might be in line for at least 30 minutes to get to the front of the line. Afterwards, there is a concert and free beer (with your bib beer ticket) at the park near the Marriott Channelside. Food trucks pull in for some unique post race lunch options.
The expo on Friday and Saturday is full of fabulous vendors from all over. You can buy high quality shoes, socks, headbands and all other athletic needs. There are also hospitals/​healthcare organizations offering health screenings and plenty of healthy food options to try.

A great easy course in Downtown Tampa and along Bayshore Blvd. Not many hills and most of the race comes with a view of the Bay and a breeze off the water. They allow up to 15 thousand people sign up for the 5k so it can be a bit crowded at the starting line. Runners go in waves based on their predicted finish time and participants with strollers go in a wave behind the runners. This was a huge relief for me because after recent injury to my feet I really didn’t want to get ran over by a stroller. The roads are wide so after about ½ mile the crowd thins and becomes a non-​issue as everyone finds their own pace.
This was a great race for a first-​timer! A mixed crowd, many racers came from all over, but a lot of locals are here for the fun of it. I saw one couple holding hands that must have been in their late 80’s. I knew I would be slow (again the injury) but thanks to the large amount of also slow «racers», I finished in plenty of time to brag that even with my poor broken feet, there were hundreds of people behind me!
The only con in this race is finding parking, the road closings make the public parking garages hard to get to so most people are forced to park in a dirt lot somewhere in the city… arrive early and prepare to walk a mile to get to the staging area.
Very well organized and a lot of fun! The free beer and goodies at the end were good too!

Fabulous race! So much fun so well organized, LOVED getting a medal, LOVED the course. The staggered start times were wonderful & not being trampled was truly such a nice thing. This event will be on my race calendar as an annual event and I’ve already invited a friend to come with me next year!