36 years. Almost as old as I am (I’m 42!!) That’s how long the Gasparilla Distance Classic has been challenging runners from locations near and far. More than 635,000 people have participated in a Gasparilla run. That’s a lot of people.
Throughout the years the Gasparilla Distance Classic has gone through it’s shares of ups and downs. Adding new race distances, removing distances, adding challenges, removing challenges.
It’s a race organization that always listens to the runners/walkers that participate in the events.
This year will be my third Gasparilla. My first was 2011. I ran the 5K with the Tampa Trio. They were 4, 5, and 6 and had a great time! I mean, how can you not have a great time when you get to run a race with PIRATES?!?!?!
In 2013 I ran the 1/2 marathon and wow…THE BLING for that race was fantastic! 
But a 1/2 marathon is no joke, and I wasn’t properly prepared last year. I walked away from that race with an injury that I’m still recovering from (and 2 lost toenails), but that won’t keep me from the 2014 Gasparilla Distance Classic!
This year I have signed up for my first ever Gasparilla CHALLENGE!! That’s right. A challenge. Me, along with several friends will be doing the Lime Cactus Challenge. The Lime Cactus Challenge consists of a 15K on Saturday and an 8K on Sunday, totaling more than 14 miles combined. That’s more than the 1/2 marathon, but dividing it up over two days *should* be easier on my injured body.
But you know that’s not the real reason I signed up for the challenge, right? Of course not. It’s all about the BLING!!
When you participate (and finish) a Gasparilla challenge you earn the finishers medals from the races you complete PLUS a special challenge medal (I haven’t seen what that one looks like yet.) That means for my two races I’ll earn 3 medals! Plus 2 shirts, and a jacket!! SWEET!
Gasparilla also partners with some local charities to give back to our community. This year’s charities, from the Gasparilla Distance Classic page:
Hope For The Warriors
The mission of Hope For The Warriors® is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.
Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families. Check out Fish Tales and learn about a ‘Tampa’ Hope For The Warriors® event. Join Team Hope For The Warriors® as they unite to run and/or walk a Gasparilla event to improve the rehabilitation of combat wounded service members and military families!
Metropolitan Ministries
Join Metropolitan Ministries’ Team MetroMin as we “Race 4 Hope” during the 2014 Gasparilla Distance Classic Races! Hope starts with a meal, and the goal is to raise $25K to provide more than 14,200 hot meals for those in need in our community. Please visit: www.metromin.org/race4hope for information on how you can help bring hope to thousands of hungry people in Tampa Bay!
2013 Recap: 52 runners for Team MetroMin raised more than $12,700 to provide 7,219 meals
Richard’s Run For Life
When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be. – Patanjali
This quote was a great motivator for me and still is. Using my experience as a runner and my desire to find a cure for cancer, in 2001, I created “Richard’s Run for Life” under the Gonzmart Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to fine a cure for cancer. Creating Richard’s run was a way to fulfill this goal of finding a cure. – Richard Gonzmart
Also in 2001, Richard established the Columbia Restaurant Endowment for research at Moffitt Cancer & Research Center. Over the last 11-years, Richard’s Run has raised more than $400,000 for cancer research. Join Richard’s Team and help Richard fulfill his goal of finding a cure.
Local races do so much more than just providing bling. They give back to the community in so many ways; through charitable donations, stimulating the local economy and team building. Why team building? Knowing that Gasparilla always occurs on the same weekend in February friends can work together throughout the year to train, to offer support, and so much more!
How do races in your community support local charities?
