Run Tampa

Spectator Information for Publix Gasparilla Race Weekend

If you are a runner and you have run in big races before, then you know how hard it can be to meet up with friends and family after the race, and you know the logistics of maneuvering before and after a large race as well as the typical difficulty of trying to spot friends/family along the race course.

But, this race is likely to include many first time racers, first time Gasparilla runners/walkers and so forth; therefore, I thought I'd share these tips which will make it easier for friends and family to enjoy watching and/or running in the Gasparilla race(s):

Running Up to Gasparilla Race Weekend

Well, this is the final runup to what is arguably the biggest running weekend in Tampa, actually the biggest race weekend in Central Florida and one of the biggest in the Southeast. That’s right, folks, the Publix Supermarkets Gasparilla Race Weekend is next weekend.

Knee Deep in Races

  We haven't had the usual spring like weather that we normally begin the year with - it's actually been more like winter, which most of us don't think we normally have here - but the racing season is well under way. Disney and Miami have already passed, this weekend we have the Sarasota Grouper Marathon and Half and the St. Pete Classic, and in two  weeks we have the big daddy of Tampa races, the Publix Gasparilla Race Weekend.
One thing that excites me is that we seem to get more off road races on the calendar every year.

Guest Speaker: Gasparilla Race Director Sue Harmeling

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Director Sue Harmeling will be the guest speaker at Take the First Step Running Club's monthly meeting this Thursday night at J. Christopher's Restaurant, on N. Dale Mabry, at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to ask questions and get the inside scoop on this major, major Tampa running event.

J. Christopher's is in the same shopping center as Starbucks and Bally's, and it is the regular meeting place for Take the First Step Club meetings.

Congratulations June!

100 miles, 29 hours, 20 minutes. Goal achieved!

June and Rocky Raccoon

At 5 a.m. on Saturday, my good friend June Leland will embark on another in a long line of adventures. She'll be running her first 100 mile ultra marathon in Huntsville, Texas. The race, known as the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail Run, is off road on terrain much like Croom.

June's running buddies can't be there with her, but we'll all be there in spirit. Last summer when June did her first 100K/62 mile race, the Vermont 100 Endurance Race, her friends each wrote an inspirational message, one for each mile, which June then carried with her in a little plastic bag. We’ve added a few more messages to bring that collection to 100. In this way, one of June's friends will be accompanying her along every mile.

The course consists of five, twenty mile loops. I suggested that I would think that would be preferable to an out and back course. I can't imagine having run forty miles and knowing, in your head, that you're still running away from the start; also, I thought it would be sort of comforting to see familiar territory after the first lap, and most importantly, I thought it would make it easier to get back to your 'drop bag' to access supplies, etc.

More Time to Run, Less Time Wasted

One of my friends sent along a valuable email this morning. It seems that cell phone numbers will be released to the public next month, something I, for one, am very sorry to hear about.

As a Realtor, I always carry my phone with me when I run during the day. I know many of you serious runners may think that crazy, but I am NOT going to miss a call on one of my listings, and I am more than happy to stop to handle it; however, if I stop in the middle of a run to answer my cell phone, and it's a telemarketer, I will be  mad.

Fortunately, there is a solution for all of us. Here is  the number to call to get on the Do Not Call List for cell phone numbers, and it's good for five years.

888-382-1222

You must call the number from your cell phone to get that number on the Do Not Call List.