I did the Ultra challenge (all 4 races) and it's a rocking good time! The theme is super cool- pirates and it's really fun to have the medals and the pirate ship and all the pirate themed stuff at the race. The options are endless...you can run just one of the distances (4 to choose from 5k, 15k, 8k and half marathon) or you can participate in one of their challenges (Ultra (all 4), Amber (3 races), Gold (15k/half) and Lime (8k/15k)) so there's literally something for everyone.

This race is so well managed (as it should be having been around for so many years). I've never had an issue with race management or the course, or aid stations or anything. There's plentiful aid stations, many volunteers, lots of spectators and fun people along the course, the expo is amazing with lots of vendors and cool things to see and do and the after party is pretty fun as well.

The only issue I have had is that in the later/shorter distance races, not only is it really crowded (pretty much everyone runs the 5k) so it's really hard to maintain any kind of pacing unless you get in the very front corrals, but it also can get really hot. Thankfully I did these as part of a challenge so the only two races I was concerned with getting a time goal on were the 15k and half and I PR'd both so it didn't bother me to run/walk the 5k and 8k.

Definitely would recommend doing this race at least once if you live in or visit Tampa. It's awesome and deserves a place on every runner's list. The only other thing that sucks is it's the same weekend as Disney Princess. I'm not sure which race started first, but I wish one of them would change the weekend lol. I always have to choose between the two! So far I've been doing odd numbered years at Gasparilla and even numbered years at Princess.