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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 31 to 41]
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M. K. from Ft Walton Bch, FL
(3/1/2009)
"good, flat course and organization; very fun" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the half-marathon at a fairly easy pace, recovering after the full Pensacola Marathon two weeks ago. The race was well organized, and the course was flat and relatively easy. Highlights: awesome long-sleeve tech shirt, great-looking medal, fantastic food at the finish, donated by a local restaurant. Weaknesses: although water/Gatorade stops were frequent, volunteers (especially at earlier ones) were overwhelmed and could not keep up. They did not prepare cups in advance, so runners were backed up waiting for drinks. Also, runners were promised a free beer (beer coupon was on the bibs), but I searched at the end and no beer was to be found anywhere. I didn't NEED it, but once it was promised, I was looking forward to it and disappointed when it failed to materialize. Overall, a good race which I would run again in if TB. | |
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L. M. from Cleveland, OH
(4/12/2008)
"I could not have asked for a better first marathon" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow, I am so glad I picked Tampa as my first marathon. Coming from Ohio, I didn't know what to expect, but after reading the previous reviews, I decided to sign up. I could not have had a better experience. The expo was fantastic, and everything was close to the start. The race starts at 6 a.m., so it was a different experience racing in the dark. The weather was perfect. The fans and volunteers were amazing. A nice touch is that your name is on your bib, so fans cheer you on by name as you go by. Plenty of water stops, and lots of food, drink, and music after the race. Because I was a "maiden voyager," a bell was rung when I finished the race. I've run Virginia Beach's marathon and Athens, Ohio's since Tampa, and although those marathons are different and special in their own right, nothing compares to the outstanding organization and overall race experience Tampa offered. Thank you, fans and volunteers, for giving me the marathon bug!! I will be at this marathon every year! | |
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K. C. from Tampa, FL
(2/22/2008)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year I ran the marathon for the 1st time. I ran the half the last 2 years. This was my fourth marathon. My first was Disney 2007. My second was Chicago 2007. My third was the marathon as part of the Goofy Challenge Disney 2008 (4 weeks ago). Having done Disney twice, despite the obvious appeal of the theme parks, they have nothing on Gasparilla. The Gasparilla expo is bigger and better, the course is much more scenic, and there are people all over the course. At Disney, there are definite dead spots. My overall impression of the Gasparilla Marathon course is: I loved it! It is as flat as can be and despite the small field (984 finishers), much of the course consists of out-and-back sections, so that you are always in the presence of other runners on one side of the course or the other. I was able to see both the male and female leaders twice on the course, as well as see Team Hoyt finish the half. The only bad part of the course is the ramp to get on to the Davis Island Bridge. It is a bottleneck and slows you down. Fortunately it is about the 3/4-mile mark so I look at it as it prevents you from running the 1st mile too fast. I definitely plan on running it again. | |
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Beth Lotsbom from Ft Meade, Maryland
(2/20/2008)
"GREAT TIME!!" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon and I had a blast. It was super flat and perfect weather. The headwind at the last 6-7 miles on the water was not welcome, but other than that, perfectly put together. Also, I loved that there were A LOT of water stations through the course. Crowds were very enthusiastic and supportive. I will be back next year for sure. | |
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M. M. from Miami, FL
(2/20/2008)
"Great race; please change the 6-mile headwind" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was an overall great race. It was fast and flat. Definitely a Boston qualifier course. Pace team was excellent. Please keep them coming for the following years. The only recommendation will be to detour the 6-mile headwind if possible. | |
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P. C. from Ohio
(2/18/2008)
"Fantastic Marathon" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was fun! Coming from the cold of the Midwest to run in Tampa is an absolute thrill! Even the early early start posed no problems. Expo was one of the best I have seen. Pace team was fantastic! It is sooo nice to be in a place where the water doesn't freeze! The mime was a great touch along the course. | |
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M. P. from Pembroke Pines, FL
(2/18/2008)
"THE BEST FOR RUNNERS; GREAT FOR SPECTATORS" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is one of the best-organized events I've ever run. If you want to run a well-organized event compared to the the music marathons, without the huge crowds, this is it. This a a PR-setting, flat, fast marathon. I will consider this one while trying to qualify for Boston. It seemed like all the pace groups were right on target, if one would need their help to qualify. The expo was great - lots of vendors, well organized. Easy, inexpensive, close parking. Metered parking was also available. Lots of porta-potties, so hardly any wait at all. Free coffee and other samples before the race. Amazing post-race amenities. Lots of food and samples and a great festive atmosphere. The 15K was a bit crowded for the first couple of miles. The 5K was also crowded, but if you place yourself right it shouldn't be too bad. The marathon/half marathon begin together and then split at mile 7, just to rejoin later on. It flowed flawlessly. I ran the challenge and did not grow tired of the course. The course takes us through Davis Island. It was great running there in the dark; some people came out to their driveways to cheer us on. We ran through some beautiful neighborhoods, shady areas, through a park and then back onto Bayshore, where the headwinds were strong but refreshing. I was afraid of the heat coming back onto the exposed few miles, but at that point the sun was not right on our faces as I had thought it may. The timimg was perfect. The volunteers were plenty and they were amazing! The spectators were the best; they had their very own aid stations, offering beads, candy, donuts, coffee, water, Gatorade and many other items. My family, even though they are not familiar with the Tampa area, was able to see me six times and that's after taking an hour-long nap. I love the pirate theme and the medals are awesome - all three of them! Thank you, race directors, for putting on such a top-notch race. Thank you, PUBLIX, for helping keep this great race going. | |
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D. D. from Tampa, FL
(2/17/2008)
"Great event, but not perfect" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the 3rd year in a row I've run the marathon in Tampa. Finished with a PR of 3:27 this year. Here's my take on the event: Strengths: 6 a.m. start; long-sleeve technical shirt; pancake flat course; excellent food at finish. Weaknesses: last 6 miles are along Bayshore and ALWAYS directly into a strong wind (ugh!); half marathon and full are run together, with a merge at ~12 miles of the marathon that lasts 3 miles and brings the faster marathon runners together with the slower half marathoners - not ideal. Overall, this is a great event that is well organized and worth putting on your calendar for the winter. Just be aware of the course issues, which I'm hoping the GDCA will address for next year. | |
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T. H. from Burlington, Ontario
(2/16/2008)
"Excellent Winter Marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I chose this race based on previous comments. I was looking for a race that could give me a chance for a BQ time. This one was flat and fast. The only unknown was the chance of high temps or excessive wind. The weather was a near perfect 52F to start while there was wind; it was not restrictive and helped keep me cool. This was a great city to run in and I really enjoyed the whole event. The smaller event made it easy to get around and my family got many chances to see me. I prepared for this in Canada with my last long run in -20F with wind chill. There is nothing negative I can say about running this very well organized event in Florida in the winter. Also being able to soak sore marathon muscles at the beach afterward cannot be beat. I got my BQ time for 2009 and recommend this event for a fast time. | |
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S. B. from Wisconsin
(2/14/2008)
"I'd recommend it to friends!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall, this was a very well organized and enjoyable event. Here's my assessment: Strengths: Expo was great, many vendors, well organized, good deals. Race was very well organized, energetic and friendly fans, good security/traffic control. Race start/finish was close to hotels (I stayed at the Embassy Suites, just a few blocks from start/finish but not close to places to eat). Nice technical t-shirt. I liked the 6 a.m. start, which helped us to get a head start on the heat, even if running in the dark. Weather was ok, and the headwind on Bayshore (?) for last 6 miles was tough. Weaknesses: From my perspective, there was only one.... I personally do not like out-and-back courses, especially ones with two-way runner traffic. |
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