Gasparilla Distance Classic

Tampa is awesome! The course was very flat and fast - perfect for a PR. It's too bad that this was the final voyage for the Gasparilla 26.2. It was great seeing the sunrise over downtown from Davis Island and finishing along Bayshore Blvd. The volunteers were great and the spectators toward the end of the race were inspiring - especially all of the kids high-fiving at mile 25. That really helped me finish strong. Tampa, please bring this race back!

I am pursuing the 50 states and am so thrilled that I was able to run this marathon before it disappeared. There were so many great things about it. I'll list just a few here: The expo was awesome and well-organized Bart Yasso at the expo!! Woo hoo! MORE than adequate fluid stations Flat and fast course Plenty of food and liquid at the finish, even for slower runners Plenty of awesome swag, including a tech shirt with embroidery, a hat, and a towel. Plus, an amazing medal! VERY QUICK responses to email and Facebook questions!! Volunteers were top-notch at the expo, on the course, etc. All miles were marked (though I missed a few) Excellent traffic control Wonderful host city and great host site at convention center Just a few things that would be great to improve, but these are MINOR compared to the MANY awesome things: The baggage line before the start was super-long Can you add more volunteers to this area? There were few spectators in certain areas, especially in the first 10 miles It would be great to offer a pasta dinner Overall, I give this marathon very high marks. I felt so cared for! I loved the young people around mile 24 with the white shirts. I could see and hear them from far away, and they ROCKED! It truly is sad that the marathon is going away. I'd recommend the rest of the races anyway, and I suggest staying at the Westin or Hyatt or Embassy Suites, all within a 5-minute walk of the expo and starting line. So glad that this was my FL marathon!!! Thanks so much to Susan and her crew!

This was one of the best ever, and it really is a shame it was the last year - which is why I came out. Every detail was perfect. And when I apparently forgot to pre-register and didn't have enough cash on me at the expo, which had just closed, the wonderful volunteers took what I had and gave me a bib anyway. The course was beautiful, if a little crowded at points with the half runners; the aid stations were wonderfully staffed; and the banquet at the finish... wow. Great job, Susan!