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.
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)
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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Prize Money: $35,000
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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 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.
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.
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.”
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.
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
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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Prize Money: $17,800
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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.
This is a premier event that has been around for years and draw elite as well as thousands of other runners.