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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 91 to 101]
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R. B. from U.S.
(2/27/2006)
"Not well organized" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 This was my 18th marathon. The start was not organized, total confusion, no direction where to line up. The post-race food also left a lot to be desired. The Tampa police officers were clueless; I asked several officers where the start line was for the marathon. They responded by saying, "I didn't know their was marathon today." I don`t know who put this marathon together, but they need to learn some organizational skills. I would not recommend this marathon to any runner. | |
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matt sandlin from indianapolis in
(9/6/2005)
"PR Course" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great flat fast course. Wear your name on your shirt so the cheerleaders can cheer you on. Many provisions, great weather fun town. I'm hooked. | |
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C. M. from Pensacola, Florida
(2/15/2005)
"One of the best" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second year to run this marathon and I plan to make it one of my regulars. A great course, lovely city and beautiful views. Not a whole lot of spectators, but the high school cheering groups are greatly appreciated. Go kids!! I was also glad the gal playing the violin near the small airport was back out again this year. She is fantastic! You can't go wrong running this marathon! Generally flat and fast. | |
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R. R. from Chicago, IL
(2/14/2005)
"Awesome Race! Top-Notch Organization!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 5th marathon and the organization of the race is on par with the Chicago Marathon! I love the 6AM start to be done early. After poor winter training, I was still able to get in my 2nd best time. Even though it was a smaller race, I loved running with people throughout the race (half & full marathoners)! There were plenty of aid stations - almost too many! Thank you! I was impressed to see several toilets on the course. Alleys & sidestreets are the only toilets in Chicago... the Expo was great too! Food at the end of the race would be a nice feature... maybe next year, huh? Would love to run this race again and I plan to!! Great job! | |
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Beach Bum from Lido Key Fl
(2/13/2005)
"Chips at the end!!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 After a great course, perfect weather, nice but sparse spectators, perfectly spaced water Gatorade/Gu - chips to eat at the end!!! Well, I guess it's a reason to get faster. | |
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M. S. from Maine
(2/12/2005)
"mostly great course" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my second Tampa Marathon. The weather was great, but the crowd support is light, which, as others have said, is likely due to the early start time and other events going on that weekend. The post-race food also left little to be desired, but hopefully that will improve next year. The course is great - flat and fast - but there are were a few places that bottlenecked out toward the airport and it was difficult to get around other runners. There were also a few hairpin turn-arounds that were a little difficult to maneuver when you've got a good pace going. It would be great to see some of those changes made in the course - but overall a beautiful run with the last 1/2 being right next to the water. Great aid stations (it seemed like there were so many of them!) and friendly people. I had a great time and was able to qualify for Boston. Would highly recommend this marathon and would run it again. | |
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l. r. from Tampa, FL
(2/12/2005)
"AWESOME" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Awesome does not begin to describe the experience of this marathon. Everything was perfect. The course is spectacular, lots of support, and lots of great weather. (But the wind did kill me the last 3-4 miles back... but I made it!!!) | |
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B. P. from Fort Lauderdale, FL
(2/11/2005)
"A Beautiful Winter Marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 My 7th marathon and a very enjoyable one. I'd previously run the Gasparilla 15K several years, always returning for the beautiful course along Bayshore Blvd. The marathon incorporates this lovely out-and=back waterfront route with the best of what downtown Tampa has to offer: a tour of Davis Island and the downtown area. I've always tried to run nice courses, and this is near if not at the top of the list (Miami competes for top spot honors). The crowds are not large, but this is not NYC or Chicago. However, the supporters were on pretty much the whole course and very enthusiastic. The expo was larger than I'd expected; pretty much what you would hope to get. As for the after-course food, I suppose you could expect more in the way of bannanas and bagels. I could care less. The smoothies were great. I usually don't indulge too much in after race fare and go out for a well deserved big breakfast afterwards. The weather was ideal. Temps in the low 50s at the start and never got hot. This could very from year to year, but this date in early February should give one a good shot at decent weather. I wasn't in PR shape for this one, but I can see that its a great PR course. Flat except for a couple of transition bridges to and from Davis Island. I'll return to this one again for its beauty, its organization, and for a good weather run. | |
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CARA BARSTOW from JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL
(2/10/2005)
"BIG ON ASPHALT!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 2nd marathon. I did the Marine Corp in Oct. Compared to running for room on the road with 16,000 runners, this was fabulous!! I loved running in the dark, as I felt like I ran 2 races. The volunteers were great and I've never seen so many porto-lets. The Austin Powers fan rocked! We made it back in time for Super Bowl in Jacksonville - 5pm. But I admit I fell asleep after halftime?hey Jude, it's bed time. It was worth it!! I got a PR, I'll be back next year. Thanks Tampa!!! | |
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E. M. from Cedar Falls, Iowa
(2/10/2005)
"What a great day" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Many courses say fast and flat but these words definitely apply in Tampa. I ran a PR. I loved the early start in the dark. There were no sight problems which was one concern I had reading previous year comments. There are plenty of water stops with water cups and Gatorade cups easily distinguished so you know what you are getting. The course is well marked with clocks at all mile markers. It's great for viewing. I saw my family four times and they didn't have to walk more than a couple of blocks each time. The only disappointment was the post-race food, or lack thereof. After the race I couldn't find the beer tent. I know there was suppose to be one because I had a coupon on my race bib. Oh well, I just went to the Cheesecake Factory instead. |
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