This was my 2nd Half Marathon and first destination race. I do live in Florida so it was about 2 hours away. I have since done another half marathon and I can honestly say this has been the best Half Marathon ever. In numbers this race is large, but it wasn't crowed at all! I am a back of the pack runner and a Galloway runner. It was star treatment all the way. Medals are great, the aid stations were stocked, the scenery was tranquil, the Expo was amazing (they even had space coat Goodr sunglasses), flat course ( I did the North course), and everyone representing the race management was helpful and nice. The best part for me is that they have Galloway pacers. If you are a run/walk runner you will feel a since of community on this course. There is lot of food at the finish that was nice. Overall the expo, the people, the experience and the medal is 5 out 5.

I can't really comment on the parking, because I stayed at a host hotel. The bus system was great. I took the earlier bus. When I was finished I didn't have to wait more then 2 min for a bus.

I do have one thing to say not so great... I stayed at a host hotel. It was International Palms Resort. I feel that this race should take this hotel off the host list. The hotel is older and that's okay. However, some rooms are really run down. I was upgraded after complaining, but it wasn't any better in terms of overall comfort. The air conditioner was loud and I was only able to get about 3 hours of sleep. Of course this has nothing to do with the race itself, but because it's on the hotel host list so others are aware. After getting on the bus to the race, someone mentioned it and everyone on the bus felt the same way!

Please try to make more hotel partnerships at value prices and not have to feel like sleeping in the car would have been a better option. :)

I do have plans on returning and have already booked my hotel... at a different resort ;-)

This race was on my bucket list because I was raised in Cleveland, OH and now as a runner it meant a lot to run the half marathon. The fact that I was able to have family there was the best part of the experience. That's the good news. The bad news is that: Cleveland roads are bad to run on. It was hard at times getting my footing right due to the pot holes. The weather was unusually high this year. However, I live in and train in Florida heat so that wasn't a problem for me. Maybe i'm spoiled but there were no water coolers at any of the stations, meaning the water was not keep cold. There were no city overhead water sprinkles. A bridge at mile 12 may not be the best course design with all of these factors. Did not feel like a flat course for me.

Neighborhood involvement was a 10. There was resident giving out 2oz of cold beer out of a cage! Many of the residents had hoses out and one house was giving out ice.

Expo was good, had some comfy shirts. Prices were good. Needs more vendors.

For me this is a race I would do with family or friends. Not a course i'm going to PR on, and due to the roads/hills/bridges it drained my energy by the end of the race. This was my 3rd half marathon. I still give it 4 Stars, it wasn't an awful race just needs to improve and adjust for current weather situations.

I ran the 15k this year. This was my first Gasparilla experience. 5 out of 5. I will do it again. Expo was large and interactive. Got to see some nice medal from other future races in Florida. The aid stations were wonderful. Course scenery was great and neighborhood involvement was a 10. They even had overhead water sprinklers! As a back of the pack runner, it took me 2 hours to finish and this was so appreciated. I purchased a parking ticket ahead of time, that was a nice option. At the finish they had diet coke that was a first for me and I so enjoyed that. Now I incorporate that as my post race drink. I will run this race again for sure. As a local, I shy away from big races but this will be my new annual tradition race.