My BEST Runs Upcoming Races
Gasparilla Distance Classic

Sunday February 23rd, 2025
Tampa, Florida
Distance: Half Marathon · 15K · 5K
Offical Race Web Site

Run through the city streets of this city overlooking the waters of Tampa, Florida’s Hillsborough Bay at the Gasparilla Distance Classic, which includes a full slate of running events for runners at all levels, including a half marathon, 8K, 15K and 5K.

Mostly fast and flat and great for beginners, the race’s half marathon and 8K races take place on Sunday, while the 15K and 5K races are run on Saturday. The race also features a slew of challenge and team events.

Organized by the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association to raise funding for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the race saw more than 20,000 runners and walkers come out to take the streets of Tampa over the two-day weekend.

From the starting line in downtown Tampa at the corner of Platt and Parker Streets, the half marathon — presented by Publix — takes the field on a winding course, the first half of which follows a circuitous route around Davis Island, which lies just to the southwest of downtown.

After running southward along Channel Drive, which runs alongside the waters of the city’s Seddon Channel, the course then runs around the southern end of the island and back toward downtown across the Davis Islands Bridge for the second half of the race.

Most of this stretch takes runners along Bayshore Boulevard, with the open expanse of the gorgeously scenic Hillsborough Bay over the runners’ shoulders in both directions. The course takes runners all the way out to the intersection with West Julia Street, and then turns around and heads back along Bayshore to the finish line.

Participants in the half marathon will be expected to keep a pace of 16 minutes per mile or better, as the roadways will close for race participants and re-open to traffic after 4 hours. If they haven’t completed the first five miles by 7:20 AM — the scheduled starting time for the half is 6:00 AM – runners will be asked to move to the sidewalk in order to finish their race.

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Gasparilla Distance Classic
Prize Money: $20,000

Race City Location Map - zoom in · zoom out · big map
displays approximate race location · East Lake-Orient Park FL

My Best Runs Comments

Mary Level Menton
This is a premier event that has been around for years and draw elite as well as thousands of other runners.
Gasparilla Distance Classic, Race Date: 2025-02-23, Distance: Half Marathon
Division Time Name Age Home
Male 1:08:31 Grant Colligan 29 Lakewood , CO
2nd Male 1:08:37 Trevor Wysong 27 St. Petersburg , FL
3rd Male 1:08:41 Nicholas Deamer 24 Summerville , SC
4th Male 1:09:18 jordan payne 26 Philadelphia , PA
Female 1:16:27 Meaghan Strum 36 Halifax , NS
2nd Female 1:18:49 Christina Welsh 28 St. Petersburg , FL
3rd Female 1:19:07 Aspen Gordon 23 Tampa , FL
4th Female 1:19:17 Alicia Belko 30 Palm Harbor , FL
Division Time Name Age Home
Gasparilla Distance Classic

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, established in 1978, is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated specifically to raising funds for charitable youth organizations and running programs in the Tampa Bay area. It’s mission is carried out through the administration of the annual Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend and Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic. $4.4 Million Donated To Date!

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association takes great pride in its mission. Since the first running of the Gasparilla Distance Classic in February, 1978, $4.4 million has been donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa, Girls Inc. of Pinellas, The Friends of Tampa Parks & Recreation and youth running related programs.

Thank you to the City of Tampa, Publix Super Markets, Gasparilla’s event sponsors, volunteers and every one of the 635,000+ participants that since 1978, that have crossed the Finish Line!

About the course

The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathonfeatures an out and back course on beautiful Bayshore Boulevard, finishing on Bayshore Boulevardat the foot of the Platt Street Bridge.

START

  • Platt St. & Bayshore Boulevard
    • Platt to Plant
    • Plant Ave to Davis Is. via Davis Island egress bridge
    • East Davis to Arbor
    • Arbor to Columbia
    • Columbia to Barbados
    • Barbados to Channel
    • Channel to South Davis
    • South Davis toroundaboutat West Davis
    • West Davis to East Davis
    • South lane of East Davis off of Island via access ramp to Bayshore (northbound lanes)
    • Bayshore (northbound lanes) toturnaroundat Gandy Boulevard
    • Bayshore (southbound lanes) back to Finish Line

Finish:Tarpon Dock, Bayshore Blvd.(between Beach Place & Hyde Park Place)

Grand Blue Mile

Tuesday April 22nd, 2025
Des Moines, Iowa
Distance: 1 Mile
Offical Race Web Site

The Grand Blue Mile was created by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Drake Relays to encourage healthy habits and empower positive change. Held annually since 2010, the Grand Blue Mile has hosted more than 30,000 participants from 26 states, six countries, and four continents.

The annual event brings friends and families together to celebrate wellness through a one-mile street run in Downtown Des Moines suited for all ages and abilities.

From competitive to recreational, there?s something for everyone at the Grand Blue Mile.



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Grand Blue Mile
Prize Money: $35,000

Race City Location Map - zoom in · zoom out · big map
displays approximate race location ·

Grand Blue Mile, Race Date: 2023-04-25, Distance: Mile
Division Time Name Age Home
Male 4:02 Sam Prakel Versailles, OH
2nd Male 4:03 Casey Comber Baltimore, MD
3rd Male 4:03 Vincent Ciattei Baltimore, MD
4th Male 4:04 Nick Randazzo Ventura, CA
Female 4:28 Nikki Hiltz Flagstaff, CA
2nd Female 4:28 Sinclaire Johnson Portland, OR
3rd Female 4:31 Addy Wiley Huntington, IN
4th Female 4:31 Colleen Quigley St. Louis, OR
Division Time Name Age Home
Grand Blue Mile

Grand Blue Mile officials from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Drake Relays have announced the USA Track & Field (USATF) one-mile road championships will remain a part of the annual Grand Blue Mile through 2023.

The prestigious USATF 1 Mile Road Championships elevate the elite-level competition of the Grand Blue Mile and will annually attract Olympians and world championship participants from across the country to vie for a national title and share of the $30,000 prize purse.

“We are honored and privileged to welcome back the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships through 2023,” said Chris Verlengia, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s senior brand marketing manager and Grand Blue Mile co-race director. “By extending our longstanding partnership, USATF has cemented Grand Blue Mile’s status asthedefinitive showcase for America’s best milers, and we’re humbled to have hosted more 1 Mile Road Championships than any other race in the nation.”

Early entrants for the 2020 USATF 1 Mile Road Championships at Grand Blue Mile include defending men’s championTripp Hurt and 2018 champion Riley Masters. In the women’s race, the 2018 Grand Blue Mile champion, Emily Lipari, will join 2019 runner-up and three-time champion Heather Kampf.

“Like the Drake Relays, the Grand Blue Mile has become a destination for the world’s greatest athletes,” said Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. “As we look to the next decade of this special event, we’re proud to solidify our partnership with Wellmark to bring America’s most accomplished middle-distance runners, alongside participants of all ages and abilities, to Downtown Des Moines.”

In 2019, more than 30 track and field stars competed for the national title and share of the prize purse at the Grand Blue Mile. Hurt won the men’s championship with a time of 4:04. The women’s championship, and new women’s course record, was captured by Nikki Hiltz in a time of 4:30.


Cleveland 10 Miler Road Race

Saturday April 26th, 2025
Cleveland, OH
Distance: 10 Miles
Offical Race Web Site

Since its inception in 2005, the Hermes Cleveland 10 Miler has grown to become the premier ten mile road race in Northeast Ohio.Each year, this outstanding race features over 2,000 runners and spectators in both the individual and relay events.

This unique course takes competitors on a journey that starts at beautiful Edgewater Park along Lake Erie, then tours some of Cleveland’s historic westside neighborhoods including the city of Lakewood.The race is completed with runners and spectators enjoying a post race celebration including hot breakfast, music and more!

The 10 Miler was created to help train for many marathons being run in May. The inaugural race took place on Sunday, April 28th. The race started and finished downtown at the House of Blues. The first year featured over 1,400 participants.

Hermes Sports & Events is named after Hermes, the winged-footed messenger god of classical mythology. Hermes was the Son of Zeus and Maia, daughter of the Titan Atlas. He wore wings on his sandals as a sign of his swiftness. Hermes was a young athletic man and is credited for inventing foot racing. We at Hermes continue in his name to carry out and expand on the legend of foot racing.

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Cleveland 10 Miler Road Race

Race City Location Map - zoom in · zoom out · big map
displays approximate race location · Cleveland OH 44113

Cleveland 10 Miler Road Race, Race Date: 2024-04-27, Distance: 10mi
Division Time Name Age Home
Male 57:37 Jeffrey Bonezzi 36 Rocky River, OH
2nd Male 58:44 Jonathan Zappala 35 Lakewood, OH
3rd Male 1:00:48 Tristan Vaughan 24 Homerville, OH
4th Male 1:00:59 Kenneth Janosko 32 Mentor, OH
Female 1:03:07 Amber Kemmann 15 Brunswick, OH
2nd Female 1:03:49 Jessica Zangmeister 33 Fairview Park, OH
3rd Female 1:05:48 Stacey Billig 31 Canton, OH
4th Female 1:11:01 Natosha Eyer 39 Elyria, OH
Division Time Name Age Home
M 40-49 1:06:07 Adam Ciroli 40 Medina, OH
M 50-59 1:09:41 Douglas Basinski 53 Pittsburgh, PA
M 60-69 1:21:36 Neil Dostal 62 Cleveland, OH
M 70+ 1:19:21 Randy Barkacs 72 Amherst, OH
F 40-49 1:17:50 Molly Stout 41 Shaker Heights,
F 50-59 1:25:03 Michelle Zuponcic 52 Mantua, OH
F 60-69 1:23:50 Connie Brys 61 Painesville, OH
F 70+ 1:52:26 Cynthia Wildman 71 South Euclid, OH
Cleveland 10 Miler Road Race


Kentucky Derby Festival

Saturday April 26th, 2025
Louisville, Kentucky
Distance: Marathon · Mini Marathon
Offical Race Web Site

The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon presented by Walmart and Humana Vitality has grown from a small local road race into the largest day of road racing in Kentucky history. Runners from all 50 states and several foreign countries annually complete the scenic 13.1- and 26.2-mile courses that start and finish in downtown Louisville.

Both races share the same start and finish lines, with runners from both races staying on the same course until Marathon runners split off at the 11-mile marker. Large and enthusiastic crowds line the sidewalks along the route, and volunteers handle duties ranging from race registration to handing out bottled water and orange slices. The course is scenic, yet challenging, including a hilly stretch through Iroquois Park and passing through historic Churchill Downs race course...

The resounding feedback from runners is organization, support and volunteers. That’s why they come back year after year. JoAnne Dewer from Indianapolis summed it up: “I’ve run great races all over the country and right in my own back yard. Never have I seen an event that was so well organized. Incredible volunteers … they’re everywhere! And there’s no better crowd than a Louisville crowd,” Dewer exclaimed. “I’ll continue to travel around to other races, but the mini is one I’ll always come back to.”

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Kentucky Derby Festival

Race City Location Map - zoom in · zoom out · big map
displays approximate race location · Louisville KY 40210

My Best Runs Comments

Ronald Tucker
Louisville is a city that was born to worship running, fast. Today it's not just the horses who have all the fun. The Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon gives people a real taste of this historic city and the thrill of crossing the finish line.
Kentucky Derby Festival, Race Date: 2024-04-27, Distance: Marathon
Division Time Name Age Home
Male 2:26:12 Antonio Marchi 35 Lexington , KY US
2nd Male 2:44:26 Brandon Page 33 Louisville , KY US
3rd Male 2:46:42 Adam Togami 29 New Albany , IN US
4th Male 2:48:15 Nathan Kuck 29 Royal Oak , MI US
Female 2:51:27 Caroline Gosser 27 Louisville , KY US
2nd Female 2:57:44 Anna Wells 23 Louisville , KY US
3rd Female 3:00:52 Jennifer Karkoska 33 Hanover , MD US
4th Female 3:14:43 Abby Petter 42 Louisville , KY US
Division Time Name Age Home
M 40-49 2:53:55 Greg Chaganos 42 Skokie , IL US
M 50-59 3:05:27 Steven Money 52 La Center , WA US
M 60-69 3:36:31 Yushe Chen 61 Carmel , IN US
M 70+ 4:01:23 Choctaw Badgett 73 Lewisport , KY US
F 40-49 3:14:43 Abby Petter 42 Louisville , KY US
F 50-59 3:51:07 Kyoko Yamamoto 50 Knoxville , TN US
F 60-69 4:17:27 Margaret Johnson 60 Louisville , KY US
F 70+ 5:09:48 Jan Melton 72 Roswell , NM US
Kentucky Derby Festival

Kentucky Half Classic

It can be hard to determine which half marathon you want to run in the spring. To make it easier, Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington and the Kentucky Derby Festivalmini Marathon in Louisville have teamed up and are encouraging runners to do both!

Now you can run the picturesque horse farms of Lexington including Donamire Farm,Stone street Farm and Keeneland along with great urban attractions in Louisville such as Louisville Slugger, the University of Louisville campus, Churchill Downs and more.

United States Track and Field Sanctioned Course and Event

  • Boston Marathon Qualifying event
  • Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, Baby Joggers, Strollers, Roller Skates and Roller Blades are not permitted on the course
  • Headphones (Ipods, MP3 players, CDs, Tape Walkmans, Radios, etc.) are discouraged
  • Fluid and Medical Stations are positioned along the race course
  • Water and Powerade are offered at Fluid Stations
  • Norton Sports Health Medical Stations along route

NOTE: All participants must maintain no more than a 13:45 minute per mile pace for the full Marathon or a 15:00 minute per mile in the half Marathon.


Illinois Marathon Race Weekend

Saturday April 26th, 2025
Champaign, IL
Distance: Marathon · Half Marathon · Marathon Relay · 10K · 5K · 1 Mile
Offical Race Web Site

The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon offers a beautiful, scenic tour of the University of Illinois campus, revitalized downtown streets, tree-lined residential neighborhoods, and an awesome paved park trail. Thousands of friendly, fun fans and volunteers from Champaign-Urbana line the course, exuding Midwest hospitality.

You'll find first-class race shirts, medals, food, and fanfare. Enjoy a spectacular finish at the 50-yard-line of the University's historic Memorial Stadium and attend the rockin'post race 28th-Mile Celebrate Victory Bash right outside the stadium. Live music, free beer, bragging rights.

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Illinois Marathon Race Weekend
Prize Money: $17,800

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displays approximate race location ·

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Bob Anderson
This looks like a really good Midwest marathon. Good course, prize money and fun!
Illinois Marathon Race Weekend, Race Date: 2024-04-27, Distance: Marathon
Division Time Name Age Home
Male 2:13:38 Darren Barnes
2nd Male 2:19:33 Thomas Strang
3rd Male 2:29:46 Jaime Marcos
4th Male 2:30:32 Dan Froeschle
Female 2:20:35 Nancy Barasch
2nd Female 2:21:28 BRITTANY WEDEKING
3rd Female 2:57:58 Alexis Dorsey
4th Female 2:59:03 Brisa McGrath
Division Time Name Age Home
M 40-49 2:19:33 Thomas Strang
M 50-59 3:04:52 Christopher Allen
M 60-69 3:45:44 Jeffrey Taylor
M 70+ 4:47:01 Marlin Weekley
F 40-49 3:24:09 Kelly Cunningham
F 50-59 3:37:13 Suzanne Rinehart
F 60-69 5:15:17 Paula Rawlings
Illinois Marathon Race Weekend

Course Info

All of the races start and finish on campus of the University of Illinois — home of the Fighting Illinii.

The course Marathon

The race starts near State Farm Center, runs through campus, loops through Urbana, back through campus, out into Champaign, and finishes on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium.

Start near the State Farm Center, run through crowd-filled neighborhoods and tree-lined parks, and finish on the 50-yard line of historic Memorial Stadium. The maps show course routes; mile markers; hydration, gel, and medical stations; shelters; relay exchange zones; and maps to help residents and onlookers get around town.
  • Flat and fast courses… A beautiful, scenic tour of revitalized downtown streets, tree-lined residential neighborhoods and awesome, paved park trails
  • Thousands of friendly, fun fans and volunteers from Champaign-Urbana who exemplify Midwest hospitality
  • First-class race shirts, medals, food, and fanfare
  • Unforgettable finish line inside the Memorial Stadium.
  • Boston qualifier

    MARATHON PRIZE MONEY: $12,800 for 2020 (includes $500 bonus prize money each for first male and first female Illinois resident). Course record bonus is $500.

    HALF MARATHON PRIZE MONEY: $3,100 for 2020. Course record bonus is $200.



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