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.

Tampa will once again put on a challenging weekend of racing with a 5k, 15k, half marathon and full marathon. There is something for every runner. It promises to be a huge happening as runners enjoy the beautiful weather during a run from downtown Tampa across the Hillsborough River and along Bayshore Boulevard.

I would never miss this, and I haven’t in many years. It’s not a race where you’re likely to do your fastest time- although it could happen - just due to the incredible number of participants, easily 15,000, total, maybe 20,000 for all races combined, but it is such a ‘happening’ that I, personally, love being there.And, since it is a chip timed race, you don't have to worry about your time suffering because you are far back in the pack. Actually, you want to be at the appropriate place for your expected pace wherever that puts you at the start; that can help you have a good time.

As usual four races are on the agenda: The 15k Gasparilla Distance Classic, The 5k, the Half Marathon, and the Marathon.

Then there are also the Michelob Ultra and Bud Lite Challenges. The challenges are so popular this year that Race Director Susan Harmeling had to close out registration more than a week ago. It’s not too late to enter any of the races, though. But if you want to register online, today, February 22^nd is the last day to register, and you must register by 11:59. If you’re not registered by then, you must register Friday or Saturday at the 8 On Your Side Fitness Expo at the Tampa Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, February 27^th and/or 28^th.

Below is an abbreviated recap last year’s winners and times. For all result click here.

15k Female: 1^st Annie Cooper-Gasway 56:00; 2^nd  Lindsay Hattendorf 56:08; 3^rd  Heather Gollnick 56:58

15k Male: 1^st  Joseph Sitienei 46:45; 2^nd Austin Richmond 47:50; 3^rd  Rolf Steier 48:19

5k Female: 1^st Laura Bowerman 17:28;  2^nd  Jessica Langford 17:39; 3^rd  Trish Butler 18:17

5k Male: 1^st Scot Mackley 15:24; 2nd Mark Parrish 15:35; 3^rd  Drew Martucci 15:37

Marathon Female: 1^st Melanie  Peters 2:46:45; 2^nd  Kim Pawelek 2:55:40; 3^rd  Michelle Nunez 3:04:1

Marathon Male: 1^st Ronnie Holassie 2:22:23; 2^nd  Bob Adams 2:39:11; 3^rd  Phillip Walkins 2:39:47

Half Marathon Female: 1^st Sarah Robertson 1:26:03; 2^nd Terri Rejimbal 1:26:59; 3^rd Christina Noordstar 1:28:03

Half Marathon Male: 1^st Stuart Patterson 1:11:40; 2^nd Nathan Adams 1:12:23; 3^rd Steven Mandel 1:13:15

The next post, on Tuesday, will offer hints for how to enhance your race viewing if you are a spectator, and secrets of how meet up with friends and family after the race. That is no easy task when you are looking  for one or two people out of a sea of, literally, thousands.