This year I did the 15k race. The expo was HUGE and there was so many vendors and shops to check out. Packet pickup was an absolute breeze. I would highly recommend either going early to the expo, or staying in downtown Tampa and walking over. We stayed about 15 minutes away, and trying to find parking for the expo Friday afternoon was a nightmare. Race day parking your can reserve in a parking garage which is MUCH easier to get around in.

Race day there was plenty of communication regarding starting line, what wave you were in, and if you were doing the 5k after where you needed to go. The start is before 7am, which is good since Florida is hot, but it was still warm for the race. The staff and volunteers had water stops at just about every mile, and with that came plenty of crowd support, and sprinklers to keep you cool!

The course- getting to run Bayshore Blvd along the bay while the sun came up was one of the most incredible and speechless things I have seen while running. It was intense being in a timed event racing, but the tranquil water and sunrise was so peaceful. The course was wide enough for all types of people- from the elites running, to those doing intervals (me) and others just casually walking the event.

Even though its an out-and-back course, it never felt boring. Between the bay, the great Spanish architecture of the houses and buildings we ran by, the music and entertainment along, and the volunteers- it was a pirate party all 9.3 miles.

The medals and shirts are just the tip of the swag you get. After the race, it was like a buffet! The Gasparilla events have so many great sponsors, and they load you up with snacks and drinks after the race! I had so many I saved one of my bars for the race I had the next day. You also get a free beer after the race, but I needed to get back to hotel to check out. (since I stayed farther away)

If you need a Runcation to Florida, this is the race weekend to do it. You will not regret this 15k or anything Gasparilla does.

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