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Gasparilla Distance Classic Runner Comments
Back to Gasparilla Distance Classic Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 182 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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Sid Busch from Charleston SC
(3/2/2010)
 "Fun Weekend" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the BUD LIGHT CHALLENGE - running the 15K and 5K on Saturday, and the Half Marathon on Sunday. This event was so well run, from the expo at the Tampa Convention Center to the great support for the runners. The PUBLIX SUPER MARKET that is at the start opened up early to allow runners to use the restrooms and stay warm. Way to go, PUBLIX. The volunteers are great, offering plenty of support and water stops. The people living in the area came out to cheer, and I guess the big thing I will remember is the Yellow Lab dressed as a pirate. If you're into medals, this was a goldmine - I got a total of four, and the BUD LIGHT one was HUGE. This was the last year for the full marathon. I'm sorry to see it go. I wanted to try it but waited too long. I will be back next year for the half though. | |
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m. O. from orlando
(3/1/2010)
 "It was a perfect day for the final voyage" (about: 2010)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am runner, not a marathoner. When they said that this was the last year, I used it as motivation. I think the city did a great job putting on a great event. I thought everything was first class. The pace group leaders were amazing. | |
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d. i. from Gainesville, FL
(3/1/2010)
"A successful final voyage!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I couldn't pass up the final voyage of the Gasparilla. The weather was beautiful. It's too bad that this marathon will not return next year. The organization and support are outstanding. The course is scenic, and there is a strong police presence for traffic control. The crowds are great... and it's in a beautiful spot in Tampa! Well done! My only complaint is that it won't be back next year! | |
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R. G. from Davenport, IA
(6/16/2009)
 "Good first-race experience." (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I walked the half. Overall, I had a great time. My only complaint would be about the pass through downtown near the finish line. I was walking, and actually one of the last to cover the route. As we passed to the right of the finish chute and began our loop through downtown, the course was not well marked and we weren't even sure we were on course. Some who had already finished the race crossed through the course just beyond the finish line and seemed unaware that they were crossing through. I finished after the real medals were gone, but I greatly appreciate the fact that I received a real medal in the mail. It's awesome. The entire event was encouraging to someone who hopes to walk a half in every state and chose this one to start with. I'd love to come back, but I've got 49 others to do first! | |
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C. G. from Sarasota, FL
(4/14/2009)
 "Outside of the course, there's room to improve" (about: 2009)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This is my second year running Gasparilla. I ran the 15K in 2008 and the half in 2009. Pros: Beautiful course Plenty of water stations Right time of year and early start Convenient location Large expo Good food at the end Great finisher's medal Quality race shirt Body wrap at the finish Cons: They ran out of shirts for those pre-registered before 2:00 the day prior Heavy congestion for the first mile-plus The race packet contained little There were few trash cans at the finish No recycling They ran out of medals if you were slow (though I got mine) | |
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Billy Graham from Tampa, FL
(4/8/2009)
"Great job" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great job on the marathon in difficult conditions. In regard to the earlier comment: "Keep the PRAYER at the start - a little thankfulness in today's world is needed." I disagree... not everyone who runs the race is a Christian, or has any type of faith. Whereas I do not personally take offense, some do. So out of respect for "everyone's" religious views, I think we should separate religious customs from running events (unless they are promulgated by a religious faith based organization). | |
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M. R. from Orlando, Florida
(3/15/2009)
"Count me in for the 2010 Challenge again." (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second Gasparilla Classic and I WILL BE BACK!!!!! I ran the Bud Challenge, and so my comments will relate to all three races. Pros: Easy PARKING close to the convention and the start/finish line. EXPO is good for a mid-tier marathon. The convention center was open on race days with real toilets - not port-a-johns. Great MEDALS - all four of them. I like the medal for the challenge versus the coffee cup they gave out last year. Keep the PRAYER at the start - a little thankfulness in today's world is needed. Finish line FOOD was top of the line and plenty of it. Cons: On the 5K and the 15K courses, they need pace signage. Way too many walkers and kids were at the very front of the line, creating bottlenecks in the first quarter mile. The full/half course slows down on the bridge, as the course is thinner. That causes a bit of a problem for keeping one's stride. The weather was windy on Sunday, but they have no control over that. | |
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K. N. from Detroit, MI
(3/10/2009)
"Half Marathoner: Nice course, well organized" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is only my second half-marathon, and I participated as a walker. I really enjoyed the course; the volunteers were great, and food was plentiful. Overall, a "walker-friendly" event. Great food at the finish. The expo was "easy in and out" and had some good samples. I will consider adding this to my FL vacation in the future. Weather was a bit rough - rain and wind. | |
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r. r. from blairsville ga usa
(3/7/2009)
"well done" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Well organized, and the many bands and fans were great. Weather and wind were a problem, but not a bad as they could have been. I wish a better map of the course had been provided. Some of the half-marathoners (walkers) were somewhat in the way at about the 13-mile marker. I would do it again; great job by everyone!!! | |
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V. P. from New Jersey
(3/6/2009)
"Nice, flat course, but the weather was terrible" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was very flat - it definitely has the potential to be a PR race. This was my first Gasparilla Marathon and I enjoyed it. The only complaint I had was the weather... it was terrible. This was my 7th marathon and my first one I am commenting on. I read the other comments and saw people writing that the weather was perfect! The weather was perfect for about 45 minutes to an hour. After that, it was horrible. All in all, I did have my 2nd fastest time, but it was challenging with the weather. As with any race, the weather can't be controlled; but the organization and logistics were very good. I will run this race again. I also enjoyed the city of Tampa |
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