Gasparilla is a Tampa tradition and a very well organized race. There are no shortage of amenities for the runners. The expo is easy to navigate and has lots of booths and options. There are lots of different races you can do, from a 5k to a 1/2 marathon, to challenges with 2-4 races, so there's truly an option for everyone! Parking is pretty easy to navigate in downtown Tampa and the start areas are organized by pace, not corral so you just line up according to your estimated finishing time (unless you are elite then you get a seeded bib and go to the front). There are a lot of people, but the course is pretty wide in most parts and you rarely have to worry about people cutting you off or getting in front of you. February weather in Florida can be a crapshoot so you never know whether it will be hot or cold- if you are traveling for this race I recommend bringing a little of everything to be prepared. The year I did it (2017) it was cool and the weather was really nice, but some years its been pretty hot as well.

Scenery is AMAZING in downtown Tampa. Lots of the race is along the waterways and you can sometimes catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming in the bay in the early hours of the morning. The only thing is that if you do the challenges, it can get a little old running the same course. Each of the races is along Bayshore, so that can get a little boring by the second day. However, its a nice flat course and definitely a good place to attempt a PR if the weather is good enough on race morning.

Logistically this is one of the most organized races I've been at. There are several aid stations, and the runners have directions everywhere. There are plenty of port o potties, the finish chute is well organized in order to get your medals, food, water and there are places everywhere to hang out/reunite with family and friends. The convention center is perfect to host all the runners and there really isn't anywhere that I felt boxed in by other people. On cold days they hand out the mylar blankets at the finish so that was nice the year I did it. There are a lot of photographers on course, so just hang to the left or right and you're bound to get your picture taken by someone. The swag for the challenge races is AWESOME. Definitely do a challenge if you can manage it. The prices are pretty good too (for $200 you get 4 races as opposed to $350 for two races at Disney, so it's a really good bargain if you like to get swag and medals and run multiple events).