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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 81 to 91]
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T. K. from Tampa, Florida
(3/4/2006)
"Good course - poor communication" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 This is a nice, flat course in my hometown of Tampa. Spectators are very sparse, but the cheerleaders were outstanding. Their enthusiasm was evident 4 hours into the race. I would run this again for that reason alone. The start was abysmal however. The race was scheduled to start at 6:00 a.m. I lined up at the start, with the other runners at 5:50, rarin' to go despite the light rain. However, the race did not start until just after 6:30. There were no announcements or any explanations as to why we had to stand in the rain for more than 30 minutes. The PA system either did not work, or it was aimed at the 20-30 spectators - the runners had no clue to what was going on (the next day's paper explained it was delayed due to lightning - which I did not see). As far as the post-race food - not a lot of variety, but the beans & rice from the Columbia Restaurant was excellent. Plenty of water/Gatorade stops and port-a-potties seemed to be just about right (local construction sites helped). | |
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Eric Sanders from Clearwater, FL
(3/2/2006)
"First Marathon Run" (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I've been running for 34 years now and have thought about running a marathon for several decades. Finally got serious about it and started a training program 5 1/2 months ago. Had a great time, felt strong throughout and very pleased having accomplished my goal. I thought the rain would be a deterrent but it was actually quite refreshing. Loved the course going through the streets of Davis Island and the out-and-back on Bayshore Blvd. for the last 12 miles. Thought the race was very well organized. Susan, the race director, was very prompt at emailing back with answers to a number of questions. Water and Gatorade stations were plentiful. Always felt well hydrated. Although the spectators were not in great numbers, they were super. Very enthusiastic even with the lack of sun and dry weather for the first hour or so. I'm a solo runner so didn't make much difference to me as I enjoy being on the run at my own pace. I highly recommend this marathon to runners of all abilities. | |
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C. W. from Cincinnati, OH
(3/2/2006)
"Real nice overlooked marathon..." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is number 12 for me; ran a 3:39:22 chip, in the 40 to 44 age group. I was really apprehensive about a Florida marathon in late Feb. (I hate high humidity), but this was very nicely run marathon. I don't understand why more folks don't include this one. There were approx. 1,100 marathoners. Big prizes for the masters runners. Great points: - The expo was wide open, lots of vendors. - The course is the flattest I've been on. - A lot of out-and-backs, but didn't seem like it at all. - Water & Gatorade started at 2 miles and seemed every 1/2 mile from that point on. - Port-o-lets every 1/2 mile. - Clif Shots in at lease five places. - Very friendly volunteers, well staffed. - Race marshals on golf carts to assist runners. The only reason I gave the organization a 4 was not knowing why the race was started 1/2 hour late. The race start was weak compared to others (low-grade P.A. system). Found out later lightning was the cause of the late start. The start was a bit congested, because the half starts with the full, but by mile 1 the runners were spread out enough to get to pace. Weather was OK: upper 50's to low 60's, overcast, with a light breeze. Then the front came through and the wind picked up enough to blow the mile-marker clocks off the stands. But hey, that's the weather. As for spectators, don't have them when I train, don't care during the race. I have more fun talking with fellow running nuts. As a whole, this is a fine race to hold pace and qualify for Boston. I never felt lost, confused, or neglected. The city is easy to navigate and the weather was reasonable. I would definitely recommend this for first-timers, and those trying to qualify for Boston. | |
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Cris Snooks from Overland Park, KS
(3/1/2006)
"Weather Didn't Cooperate, but a Great Race" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 A thunderstorm that delayed the start of the race by almost 40 minutes and a constant 15-20 mph headwind from miles 22-26.2 were negatives that the organizers could not control. The one negative that they could control was the communication to the racers regarding the delay. The sound system at the start was inaudible except for those right next to the speakers, so we were left to guess as to when the race was actually going to start. The course itself was great and the water stops/porta-potties were well spaced and plentiful. Spectators, other than the start and finish, were few and far between, but those that were out there were great. I would run this race again and recommend it to others. | |
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R. N. from Norwalk, CT
(2/28/2006)
"Good race" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a well-organized marathon. Not outstanding, but very good. The race management did a very good job dealing with some difficult weather on race morning. Forty-five minutes before the start, there was a torrential downpour over Tampa. The rain lightened up and made for a pleasant drizzle at the start. I am guessing because of the weather (?), they decided to delay the start 30 minutes right before the planned start time, so we were all standing around tightening up and expending our energy gels without even starting the race. I think they tried to announce and keep everyone informed, but the mass of the runners at the starting point could not hear the single P.A. system they were using. This was a mild annoyance. I do understand that they lost their on-course entertainment due to the weather. This was a bummer. I'm sure this would have helped keep us motivated. I did not PR this year. The headwinds were brutal in some spots along the water. Keep in mind the bay breezes can be quite vicious if you expect to run your fastest. Pros - Best marathon shirt I have ever received (out of six). It is a CoolMax type with a snazzy Tampa Marathon logo on the front. Thumbs up here!!! - Great volunteers and solid water coverage on the course. - Port-a-cans were in plentiful supply. - Course is FLAT. Nice views of the bay on the course in many places. - Very nice finisher's medal. Cons - Repetitive course - we seemed to cover a lot of the same roads on the 2nd half as we did on the 1st half. - "Suspect" mile markers - a couple were downright missing and a couple had to have been misplaced - most noticeably, no 1/2-point marker? My results confirm this was an error - I know I didn't run a 1:20 at the half. - Limited spectator support (keep in mind it was raining this year). Those that were there were outstanding. Cheerleaders were great. Overall, I am pleased with my race experience. I would recommend the race if you are happy with a medium size marathon. Tampa is nice place to visit. With good weather, I'm sure my marks would have been higher. But they need to get the mile markers right. This is one thing that is within the race director's control. We stayed over and visited Clearwater Beach, which is only 25 miles across the bay, to relax. Suggest doing this if you're not from the area. | |
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HARRY HOFFMAN JR from STUART FLORIDA
(2/28/2006)
"Great race - I've done it before..." (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 3 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 ...except my results are not posted. | |
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J.P. Buchanan from Ft.Walton Beach, FL
(2/28/2006)
"Marathon was one of the safest races I've run" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organizers need a medal of their own. From the first aid stations every mile to the first aid helpers in the golf carts, to the back-up post-race awards party, to the race route committee, to the clean-up crews, and to the food and refreshment committee, I commend you all. You all did a super job, esp. considering the %$#@&* weather. Even though the weather was terrible (as well as my time), I'm sure this Tampa race will be on my list of future races to run again. A+ on the great shirts also, but D- on the choice of beer. Why Michelob Ultra keeps being a sponsor at road races is beyond me ($$$$$ I'm sure). But I was more thrilled about the food from Columbia's. Awesome! Keep them a sponsor whatever you do. One bit of constructive criticism: Move the bottled water, bagels, & fruit at the end of the marathon from the top of the bridge (the walk up the bridge was pretty hard believe it or not) to an area closer towards the finish line. If there was more of this near the finish line I missed it. Sorry. I hope the city will continue to support this event for years to come. Tampa is truly a beautiful city, worth coming to visit again for, esp. for a road race as wonderful as this one was! | |
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J. M. from Washington DC
(2/28/2006)
"Tampa Marathon Report Card" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Tampa Marathon Report Card: Course: D+ Yes, it was flat - but all of Tampa is flat. The course was a "figure eight" with a meandering knot through downtown Tampa wedged in between. There was too much turning and twisting, and too many arbitrary turn-arounds and hairpin curves to establish any sort of pacing. The loops around Hillsborough Bay were scenic, but were also exposed to the elements (strong wind and intermittent rain). Tampa has a number of charming neighborhoods like Ybor City, but the marathon doesn't take advantage of these vistas. Organization: C- Great volunteers. Thanks Tampa! Water and Gatorade the entire route. Energy gel at two locations during the race. No bananas. We saw a small plate of orange slices, but it was unclear if they were stocked by race organizers or enthusiastic fans. The starting line was poorly organized: no PA system, no clock, no lights, no DJ, no starting gun or adequate signage. The race start was delayed due to inclement weather (not the organizer's fault), but we had to rely on word-of-mouth to spread the message to our fellow runners. The finish line was well-staffed, but post-race food and bag recovery was spread out over a three-block area and was either exposed to the elements or wedged into an exhaust-filled tunnel. Crowds: C To be fair, the race was slated to start at 6:00 am to avoid the midday heat. It was dark, and it happened to be a rainy day. Personally, I wouldn't get out of bed on a Sunday morning to bear witness under those conditions unless a loved one was participating. But the crowds would be better if they routed the marathon through the neighborhoods where people commonly congregate. Expo: B+ Bib/chip pick-up was well marked and well-organized. Pasta dinner tickets should have been included in race packet. The chip check computer was down, with no back-up. The expo itself was clean, well-organized, ample, but not overpowering, and carpeted (thank you!). Weather: D- No one's fault, but it was warm, wet and windy. It wasn't a PR day. Overall: A It's always worth the effort when you cross that finish line and gather with friends to enjoy a cold "recovery" beer and conduct the post-marathon celebration. | |
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David Trevino from Arlington, VA
(2/28/2006)
"Great Time at the 2006 BAM" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Gasparilla Distance Classic
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year, 2006, was my 1st time running of the Bank Of America Marathon in Tampa Bay, and despite the weather (rain, humidity, and gusty winds), I thoroughly enjoyed running this marathon. As for the weather, there is nothing that you can do about that except forcing yourself to go outside during training when the weather is not ideal - adding to your mental toughness. I would highly recommend this marathon to anyone. The post refreshments were good. The only minor complaint (and I really mean minor) about the marathon is the little fan support between the beginning and end of the race - however, those who did come out to support were great, and the cheering on was much appreciated. THANKS TAMPA FOR A VERY ENJOYABLE EVENT - I PLAN TO BE BACK NEXT YEAR. | |
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S. O. from Clearwater, FL
(2/27/2006)
"Rainy yet good!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Gasparilla Distance Classics
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the 5th time I've run this particular marathon and I swear it gets better every year. This marathon brought rainy and very windy conditions but I still enjoyed the race. The course (which has changed several times) was great and there were plenty of aid stations. The food at the end of the race has improved very much, as now I was treated to a delicious Columbia restaurant meal in addition to the smoothies, Cokes and bread. I was impressed that even with the not-so-perfect conditions, the volunteers were out there in droves. Thanks to all that helped out.... You make the race possible!! |
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