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May 3, 2024

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 41 to 51]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 19 > ]

J. S. from Michigan (4/4/2007) "I loved this event - Keep up the good work" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very well run event with a fun and diverse course. It offers a diversity of views in residential neighborhoods, waterfront, urban center, University of Tampa campus, and City skyline. Although it was windy this year, the course is flat and compared to northern winters, this is a welcome break from snow and bitter cold. I hope the marathon distance is continued, this is one I will plan to repeat.
R. R. from Orlando, Florida (3/16/2007) "4-star first marathon" (about: 2007) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon so I really don't have any others that I can compare it with. In general it was a great first for me! Regarding the course... I only gave it 4 stars because there were many times when I was the only runner around and I had to ask someone which way to run. (I was one of the slow ones, finishing 5:51:12, never having run in 38 years until last July!) There were plenty of port-o-potties, water and Gatorade stations, and helpful volunteers. Hats off to the many volunteers and bands on the course that cheered me on to the end! I didn't mind having the half marathoners with me because as one of the slower runners, I had company until the courses separated and all of a sudden there was just me and one or two others in front of or behind me that I could see. I could have done without the 22-23 mile per hour winds that I had to run against during my last 2 hours on the course! Oh well you can't count on weather, but I was thankful for the otherwise beautiful day - sunny and cool. The pasta dinner at the Hyatt was very tasty but the service and pre-planning on their part was not good. Dinner tickets were pre-sold but there seemed to be a timing issue with having breadsticks and pasta available when we showed up and stayed for an hour to hear the great speaker. Didn't the staff know how many people were expecting to eat??? The main reason I am rating this 4 stars is because at the finish line the race staff seemed to be very eager to tear down the finish line, and I had to cross the mat over to the side. My understanding was that the course was supposed to be open for at least 6 hours, which would be until noon. I crossed 10 minutes before but they put up street barricades and after I started to go through them, they directed me to a different mat over to the side (where my family was NOT waiting because they didn't know the staff had closed the main finish line) and then there wasn't anyone around to give me my medals! So my family had waited the whole day to see me finish and they had no idea where I was! We had to ask around for the medals and I know there were others that had to do the same. Also, the pre-race information didn't mention that the Columbia after-race food of rice, beans, and salad was only for those that could finish in 4 hours! We had some sandwiches and fruit offered to us, but I think they were actually for the volunteers. All in all, it was a great experience and I would recommend this marathon as long as you are a faster runner and can finish under 4.5 hours.
P. K. from Midwest (3/16/2007) "Great race - would only change a few things" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 2nd marathon and 1st since 2001. The course is flat and loops through the same area a few times so family/spectators can see runners, a great plus. The expo and access to the start were great - came from out of town and there are many hotels within walk distance of start, as well as the convention center for last-minute bathroom stops. I would suggest, as others have, that they minimize or separate the marathoners with half marathoners at miles 12-15 or so; it did make it hard to keep a rhythm as the half runners at that point are going much slower and some were walking in big groups. And I would also suggest making the early loops bigger (go to Ybor City?) or changing the course somewhat so that out-and-back in the 2nd half isn't quite as long, although that wasn't a big deal to me. The support was outstanding, there were carbo gels at more spots than advertised, and the volunteers were great. More spectators would be nice but the wind and much lower than normal temps were probably a factor. The wind was a factor in the faces of the runners in the last 6-8 miles, but that's an uncontrollable. The rice and beans were great at the end - it was too bad the wind was so bad it was hard to even stand around in the post-race area after the race. Pirate theme was cool; they should expand on that for next year. Like others that have posted, I think Tampa should continue putting on the marathon and half and push it harder in national publications. There is a lot of competition but this was a well-run race on a PR-type course in a great city to visit in February. We enjoyed the city and it all works well with the tradition of the 15K, which was run on Saturday. Thanks for putting on a great race.
D. N. from Nova Scotia (3/11/2007) "A great race and the perfect winter getaway" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Gasparilla Distance Classics COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have traveled from Canada for the past three years to run this race. I competed in the three-race challenge (15K, 5K and Marathon) in 2006 and 2007. This is an excellent event for us hardcore racers. This year I used the 3:20 pace group in the marathon, and our leader, Joel, was awesome. He brought everyone across the line with 15 seconds to spare. This is a great event and I hope you will be able to continue into the future.
S. E. from Tampa, Hometown race baby!! (3/7/2007) "Lots of fun!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I have to say this was a great experience. I was worried that I might not be able to follow the course, but that fear was put to rest by the hundreds of volunteers that made the race flow. I can see why Disney needs to have corrals, and Boston has two starts; the start pace was about an 11-minute mile, and it was so narrow over Davis Island that was a bit difficult. That and the jackets that I ditched were gone after the race. There was plenty of water and Gatorade (those pouches were awesome), but there were what, four bands? Was there an after event? I ended up going to the home show. Side note: my Nike 180's got a flat after the race.
R. S. from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada (3/2/2007) "First full marathon - thought it was great" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had run the half marathon last year and returned to run the full this year. Had a great time and the weather was much better this year. I would highly recommend this race.
a. k. from florida (3/1/2007) "Overall a very well organized and fun race!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, so I have nothing to compare. The race was very scenic, the water stops were frequent, and the first aid and all staff were extremely supportive. I have heard rumors that this race may be discontinued. Please don't! The number of participants was perfect and I would like to run it every year. I am from Tampa and it is hard for me to travel away for races. Thanks for a wonderful race. I thought the weather was great too. It never got too hot!
Leonardo STOLL from Tampa, Florida (2/27/2007) "Very easy packet pick-up" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The marathon course was not the best. At times it was curvy and narrow especially around the track part of it. It did, however, open up after awhile, and it became easier to deal with. I do not understand the lack of participants. This has the potential be a great marathon. The post-run festivities were wonderful. GREAT SHOW!
B. H. from Madison, WI (2/27/2007) "Great Value" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Excellent race course - scenic, organized out-and-back along the water. Expo: Well organized. Race: Perfect size, but not too big or too small. Logistics: Easy access; you could walk to both the start and finish from several hotels.
T. M. from Boynton Beach, FL (2/26/2007) "Fast Course, Great City for Feb. Marathon" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 There is a lot to like about this marathon. I like the 6:00 a.m. start; you get going while it is still dark out. The course is spectacular - flat and fast! The race starts with a loop around Davis Island, then you go through downtown Tampa and the back half is basically 7 miles each way along Bayshore Drive. I stayed at one of the hotels downtown, which the course passes twice. So my wife and daughter were able to see me start, walk to the hotel, take a shower, get coffee and see me run past the hotel in each direction and walk to Bayshore and see me finish. There are plenty of downtown hotels near the course, all reasonably priced. The weather was cold (40's) and windy, and it had rained through the night. This is atypical for Florida, so I had to wear long sleeves and gloves, but I enjoyed running in the cool for a change. I am sure that the wind did not help, but there is not much anyone can do about the weather. The crowd support was minimal, but I would not be out in that weather either so I understand. There were no issues with the clocks, tons of aid stations and a nice finish area. A few things I would suggest to make this event better: While I loved the course, it would have been great to separate the half marathon and marathon along Bayshore. There were a lot of walkers and often they would line up six across, making it difficult to pass. The street is big enough to separate the races. I always thought it was a nice touch when they call your name and city out as you approach the finish. This is not difficult in a small marathon, but very classy. I don't care about the shirt or medals you get at marathons and don't know why people bother commenting on them. Same with the expo - for me every expo is the same; you get your number and chip and browse around a bit. The city is a great place to spend a few days if you take the family. Lot's of good restaurants, Busch Gardens, aquarium, pirate ships, tons to do. Also, Orlando is only 1 1/2 hours away. For me this was a race that I won't forget since I qualified for Boston. Another perk is that you qualify for Boston for the current and next year. I read in the paper that they may not do the full marathon next year due to a competitive market in Florida. That would be a shame, as Tampa is one of the best cities in Florida and this race has a ton of potential.

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