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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 61 to 71]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 5 6 7 8 9 .. 19 > ]

S. H. from Atlanta, GA (2/22/2007) "Great winter destination marathon" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was a great race. Beautiful course and great organization. I stayed at the Comfort Suite, which connects to the expo. We took the trolly everywhere. This race was so easy compared to bigger races such as Chicago that have you take a 45-minute bus ride to the expo from downtown. Also, the support on the course was great. The weather was windy, but I still ran 5 minutes faster than Chicago, which is known for its fast course. The course is very flat.
T. R. from Tampa, Florida (2/22/2007) "A top-notch race without the hassle." (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This race is a no-brainer. Step up, go and enjoy. Organized, nice route, nice weather, great shirt and medal, and with all of the amenities of the big races - with none of the BS you get from the mega-marathons. It's not lonely out there, like in the really small races, and you're not stampeding like a herd of buffalo like at Chicago and NY either. The weather in Tampa is perfect at this time of the year. Yes, the last two races had a few gusts of wind, but it was nice and cool and the breeze just kept me nice and comfortable. Turned out to be a gorgeous day. Not sure what planet the whiners were running on; maybe they should stick to running on a treadmill. Overall, this race is a class act. I plan on running it every year until my legs drop off.
D. D. from Zephyrhills, FL (2/21/2007) "Great marathon in a great city!!!" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon and second time running the Bank of America. I ran the Detroit Marathon in 2006, which itself is a great event. However, the Bank of American Marathon, while smaller in numbers, compares to or exceeds that event in every way. Everything - from registration, packet pick-up, the expo, performance long-sleeve t-shirt, medals and especially the great food from Columbia restaurant at the finish - makes this a world-class event!!! The changes to the course this year, which included a new start, a much improved route through Davis Island, and a lot fewer turns through downtown, worked very well and greatly improved the experience over 2006. I saw in the local paper that the race director is considering dropping the marathon for 2008 due to competition from other marathons in Florida (there were 3 others on 2/18). That would truly be a shame, because after 7 years of perfecting this one, they have definitely got it right! So, if you're looking for a flat, fast, very well-organized, runner-friendly, world-class marathon with top-notch amenities and enthusiastic volunteers in a great city, show your support to Susan Harmeling, the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, and the city of Tampa by putting this one on your schedule for 2008!
S. O. from Clearwater, FL (2/21/2007) "Better every year!" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Gasparilla Distance Classics COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the 6th time I've done this particular marathon and it seems like every year they try to make it better and they do! The race shirts were great this year! The new course is even better.... I loved running around the park near mile 18-19 and those new pouches of Gatorade were awesome!! The post-race food has also improved. Columbia was a big hit! Thanks to all the volunteers! You all did an excellent job as usual!
J. R. from Jax,FL (2/20/2007) "Good experience for a first-timer" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I made my "maiden voyage" at the BOA/Gasparilla this year and was impressed with the race. The expo was nice, though I can only compare it to some large 10K's and 15K's that I've done. The weather was great, except for some strong winds, and the course was decent. Lots of aid stations and porta-lets along the way. I do agree with one previous comment about the marathon joining back in with the tail end of the half, as it is unmotivating to see a bunch of walkers all the sudden. But it's only for about 3 miles. Overall I was very happy with the organization and would recommend this race.
T. G. from Indiana (2/20/2007) "Very enjoyable." (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Second-timer for the half. Weather once again was rotten: Windy, cold, and wet. Course is great. Tons of water stops and potta-potties. People are nice and the expo is very good.
K. G. from Springfield, VA, USA (2/20/2007) "Nice city, scenic course, fast, well-organized" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I am not sure why there aren't more people in this one? What's not to like? It has all the organizational support of a larger race without the hassles. Easy packet pick-up, decent expo, easy gear check (indoors and close enough to the start line to allow indoor warm-ups), short lines for pre-race port-a-johns, chip timing, pace teams, plenty of aid stations (water, Gatorade Endurance and Clif Shots on the course), finish line short walk from gear check, nice medals, etc. I stayed downtown near the race activities, so I didn't need a car. Plenty to do with trollies to Ybor City, walkways along the waterfront, restaurants and a grocery store nearby. It does start early (6 a.m.) and in the dark, which this year meant it was pretty chilly (unusual I hear). Once the sun comes up you've got clear views of a flat, fast course traversing neighborhoods and the bay front. Lots of wind off the bay and the roads are concrete, not asphalt, but otherwise no complaints from me. Given that this is part of a 4-event weekend (5K, 15K and half, too), I don't understand why it isn't a big-time destination race.... Ratings comments: Three stars for spectators because I know some runners want lots of vocal spectators on the course. There aren't many in Tampa but the ones who are out there are great (and so are the volunteers... and there are even a couple of bands on the course, too!).
p. w. from marietta GA (2/20/2007) "boring course" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 As a personal rule, I don't care much for out-and-back courses, and the section of this race that is out-and-back comes at the worst time in the race. After running some loop parts of the course, you run out, mostly along the water, from approx. mile 12 to mile 19, then turn around and run the 7 miles back along the same route. The last 4.2 miles are brutal because you have no wind break and you can see the finish location the whole time. I would like to see some more variety to the course. The out/back and short loops near the Univ. of Tampa could have been done better. Tampa is a nice city; make some larger loops rather than the out-and-back on the same road, so we can see more. The neighborhoods along Bayshore have some lovely homes on parallel streets; no need to run out and back on Bayshore itself. I ran the half in 2005. I am just glad they did away with the little out-and-back at the airport on Davis Island. The 400-meter run on the track at Univ. of Tampa is a neat diversion in the middle of the race, but the entering/leaving the track was a bit tight and awkward. Great expo, with lots of appropriate vendors and goodies to be had. Finish-line food is plentiful and volunteers are great. Just enough spectators on the course to keep you going.
Glenn Smith from Lutz, Florida (2/19/2007) "One that I hope remains in 2008" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Despite having run 6 marathons, this is the first time that I've added to the comments. I only do so now after having read in the local paper about the possibility of not having this marathon held in 2008. In my opinion, this is a highly underrated marathon. The course is quite flat and fast. My point of comparison includes Chicago and Disney. The weather both last year as well as this (high wind) was less than ideal; however, this was out of the control of the organizers. The surroundings days were gorgeous. This is just the luck of the draw - something with which marathoners should be well-acquainted. I was able to squeeze out a PR and a BQ despite the adverse conditions. The organization was far better compared with last year when there was substantial delay in the start. This may have been partially due to a change in the location of the start. The change in the course was much improved over last year as well (i.e., the turn around on Davis Island). The food was the best, bar none, compared with the other races I've run. Fans were sparse at times (e.g., miles 18 to 21) but most enthusiastic!! The finisher medal was substantial compared with the half marathon. I would recommend this to individuals wanting a fast track. Though others occur in Florida around the same time, I think Tampa rocks!!!
joe lanteigne from hamilton ontario canada (2/19/2007) "SUPERB, SUPERB, SUPERB" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Everything - I mean everything - was right in the marathon. Registration was flawless... the race went off without a hitch and the finish line was well organized. Lots of food after and the MEDALS were super. It was windy but they could not control that. Bring back the pace teams. I had so much fun.

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