View source for Gasparilla Distance Classic

The '''Gasparilla Distance Classic''' is a [[Road running|road race]] which is held in late February or early March on [[Bayshore Boulevard]] in [[Tampa, Florida]]. Over 30,000 competitors participate each year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Jen|title=Going the Distance Grows Shorter for Many Runners|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/sports/going-the-distance-grows-shorter-for-many-runners.html?_r=0|accessdate=14 September 2015|work=New York Times|date=22 February 2014}}</ref> It is named after the [[Gasparilla Pirate Festival]], which takes place on Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard a few weeks earlier.

==History==
The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association was established in 1978 dedicated specifically to raising funds for charitable youth organizations and running programs in the [[Tampa Bay area]].  Its mission is carried out through the administration of the annual Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend and Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic. Since the first running of the Gasparilla Distance Classic in February 1978, $5.9 million has been donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa, Girls Inc. of Pinellas, The Friends of Tampa Parks & Recreation and other running programs.  More than 485,000+ runners and walkers have crossed the finish line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabayrun.com/Community_Involvement/Mission_of_the_Gasparilla_Distance_Classic_Association_Inc_.htm|title=Tampa Bay Run|accessdate=2010-07-16|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706065602/http://www.tampabayrun.com/Community_Involvement/Mission_of_the_Gasparilla_Distance_Classic_Association_Inc_.htm|archivedate=2010-07-06}}</ref> 

The race weekend includes the Half Marathon, 8k, the Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K & 5K, Kellogg's 5K Walk, Fifth Third Bank Half Marathon Team Challenge & Stroller Roll, Michelob Ultra Challenge (15K, 5K, Half Marathon & 8K) and the Beck's Light Challenge (15K, 5K & Half Marathon) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tcpalm.com/treasure_coast_running/half-marathon/|title=Treasure Coast Running|accessdate=2010-07-16|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120708022930/http://blogs.tcpalm.com/treasure_coast_running/half-marathon/|archivedate=2012-07-08}}</ref>

The Gasparilla Distance Classic used to include a marathon race (26.2 miles). The final marathon was in 2010 and titled the "Final Voyage".
Wilson Chepkwony of Kenya was the Men’s 2010 Marathon Champion with a time of 2:24:48 and Melissa Gacek of St. Paul, Minn was the Women’s 2010 Marathon Champion with a time of 2:53:20 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marathonguide.com/news/newsviewer.cfm?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.live2run.com%2FMarathonGuide%2Fnews%2Fstories%2FGas_100228_1.html|title=Marathon Guide|accessdate = 2010-07-16}}</ref>

===Human interest stories===

In 2008 [[Iraq]] war veteran Ivan Castro ran {{convert|20.0975|km|mi}} of the Gasparilla Classic only 17 months after being blinded by shrapnel on a rooftop in Baghdad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/11/Sports/Blind_vet_runs_half_m.shtml|title=Blind Vet Runs Half Marathon|accessdate = 2010-07-16}}</ref>   

Lieutenant Colonel Sam Arwood ran the 2010 Gasparilla Marathon {{convert|7,800|mi|km}} away on a treadmill in Afghanistan. Sam had originally planned to run in the marathon in Tampa, but was deployed one month before the race. He was given the Ok by race officials to run a course on base in Afghanistan, but was forced onto a treadmill after heavy rains ruined the outdoor track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/01/010709/s6-deployed-but-by-no-means-deterred/|title=Deployed but by no means deterred|accessdate=2010-07-16|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303024351/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/01/010709/s6-deployed-but-by-no-means-deterred/|archivedate=2010-03-03}}</ref>

==Charity==

The [[Challenged Athletes Foundation]](CAF) sponsors the [[LabCorp]] Elite 15K Wheelchair Division. CAF raises money to help people with physical disabilities pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and athletics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamcafflorida.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=320775|title=CAF|accessdate = 2010-07-16}}</ref> 

The Mendez Foundation Too Good For Drugs Junior Gasparilla Distance Classic is a free mini-marathon, now in its 20th year, for children ages 2 to 10. The race emphasizes participation over competition. Every child receives a race bib with the number "1" printed on it, as well as a goody bag, T-shirt and, after crossing the finish line, a competitor's medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/21/na-all-kids-are-winners-at-free-annual-race/news-metro/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203091723/http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/21/na-all-kids-are-winners-at-free-annual-race/news-metro/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-03|title=All Kids are Winners at Free Annual Race|accessdate=2010-07-16}}</ref>

2011 Charitable Organizations & Running Related Programs Supported By The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, Inc. 

*Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay 
*Girls INC.
*Friends of Tampa Recreation INC. 
*St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation
*Richard's Run
*National Psoriasis Foundation
*Because of Ezra
*Wounded Warrior Foundation
*Team Olivia 
*Girls On The Run

Tampa Cross Country & Track Programs 

* University of Tampa 
* Bloomingdale High School  
* Chamberlain High School    
* Plant High School   
* Robinson High School  
* Sickles High School  
* Steinbrenner High School  
* Wharton High School 


YOUTH RUNNING PROGRAMS

* Fifth Third Bank Too Good For Drugs Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic 
* Florida Blue Kids Running Program
* Tampa Police Memorial Run

==Past 15K winners==
'''Key:'''
{{legend2|#A9F5A9|'''Course record'''|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!class=unsortable|Edition
!Year
!class=unsortable|Men's winner
!Time ([[minute|m]]:[[second|s]])
!class=unsortable|Women's winner
!Time ([[minute|m]]:[[second|s]])
|-
|1st
|1978
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Bill Rodgers (athlete)|Bill Rodgers]]|USA}}
|44:29
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Kim Merritt]]|USA}}
|55:40
|-
|2nd
|1979
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ralph King (athlete)|Ralph King]]|USA}}
|44:12
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gayle Olinekova]]|CAN}}
|53:17
|-
|3rd
|1980
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Greg Meyer]]|USA}}
|43:40
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Grete Waitz]]|NOR}}
|48:01
|-
|4th
|1981
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ric Rojas]]|USA}}
|43:12
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Grete Waitz]]|NOR}}
|48:12
|-
|5th
|1982
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Michael Musyoki]]|KEN}}
|43:09
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Grete Waitz]]|NOR}}
|48:26
|-
|6th
|1983
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Robert de Castella]]|AUS}}
|42:47
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Wendy Sly]]|GBR}}
|48:18
|-
|7th
|1984
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mike McLeod (athlete)|Mike McLeod]]|GBR}}
|42:55
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Grete Waitz]]|NOR}}
|47:52
|-
|8th
|1985
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Mike McLeod (athlete)|Mike McLeod]]|GBR}}
|43:02
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Grete Waitz]]|NOR}}
|48:10
|-
|9th
|1986
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Treacy]]|IRL}}
|42:59
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ingrid Kristiansen]]|NOR}}
|48:00
|-
|10th
|1987
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Marcos Barreto]]|MEX}}
|43:17
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Grete Waitz]]|NOR}}
|48:50
|-
|11th
|1988
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Marcos Barreto]]|MEX}}
|42:37
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Liz McColgan]]|GBR}}
|bgcolor=#A9F5A9|'''47:43'''
|-
|12th
|1989
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Keith Brantly]]|USA}}
|42:50
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ingrid Kristiansen]]|NOR}}
|48:14
|-
|13th
|1990
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Halvorsen]]|NOR}}
|43:25
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Judi St. Hilaire]]|USA}}
|49:26
|-
|14th
|1991
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[John Halvorsen]]|NOR}}
|43:14
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jill Boltz]]|GBR}}
|49:00
|-
|15th
|1992
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Valdenor dos Santos]]|BRA}}
|43:10
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Wilma van Onna]]|NED}}
|49:11
|-
|16th
|1993
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Valdenor dos Santos]]|BRA}}
|42:41
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Carmem de Oliveira]]|BRA}}
|49:03
|-
|17th
|1994
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Philemon Hanneck]]|ZIM}}
|bgcolor=#A9F5A9|'''42:35'''
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Elana Meyer]]|RSA}}
|48:11
|-
|18th
|1995
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Josephat Machuka]]|KEN}}
|42:37
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Delilah Asiago]]|KEN}}
|48:38
|-
|19th
|1996
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jon Brown (runner)|Jon Brown]]|GBR}}
|42:42
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Tegla Loroupe]]|KEN}}
|48:30
|-
|20th
|1997
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Joseph Kimani]]|KEN}}
|43:11
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Elana Meyer]]|RSA}}
|48:48
|-
|21st
|1998
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Gabino Apolonio]]|MEX}}
|43:23
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Lornah Kiplagat]]|KEN}}
|49:24
|-
|22nd
|1999
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Russ Gerbers]]|USA}}
|46:48
|align=left|{{flagathlete|Laura Drake|USA}}
|54:33
|-
|23rd
|2000
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Russ Gerbers]]|USA}}
|46:37
|align=left|{{flagathlete|Laura Drake|USA}}
|52:59
|-
|24th
|2001
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Muchapiwa Mazano]]|ZIM}}
|48:50
|align=left|{{flagathlete|Laura Drake|USA}}
|54:47
|-
|25th
|2002
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Tony Teats]]|USA}}
|46:36
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Monica Joyce]]|USA}}
|55:10
|-
|26th
|2003
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ronnie Holassie]]|TRI}}
|46:40
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Amy Begley]]|USA}}
|52:21
|-
|27th
|2004
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Joep Tigchelaar]]|NED}}
|46:37
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Rosa Gutierrez (athlete)|Rosa Gutierrez]]|USA}}
|55:20
|-
|28th
|2005
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Elias Gonzalez]]|USA}}
|48:23
|align=left|{{flagathlete|Victoria Gill|GBR}}
|54:00
|-
|29th
|2006
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Elias Gonzalez]]|USA}}
|48:39
|align=left|{{flagathlete|Victoria Gill|GBR}}
|53:47
|-
|30th
|2007
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Todd Snyder (athlete)|Todd Snyder]]|USA}}
|45:48
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Christa Benton]]|USA}}
|54:27
|-
|31st
|2008
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Joseph Sitienei]]|KEN}}
|46:45
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Annie Cooper-Gasway]]|USA}}
|56:00
|-
|32nd
|2009
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Ryan Hall (runner)|Ryan Hall]]|USA}}
|43:26
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Christa Benton]]|USA}}
|54:42
|-
|33rd
|2010
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Austin Richmond]]|USA}}
|46:49
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Briana Whaley]]|USA}}
|54:05
|-
|34th
|2011
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jeremy Criscione]]|USA}}
|46:22
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Briana Whaley]]|USA}}
|54:05
|-
|35th
|2012
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jeremy Criscione]]|USA}}
|46:55
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sara Petrick]]|USA}}
|54:59
|-
|36th
|2013
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Jonathan Mott]]|USA}}
|48:44
|align=left|{{flagathlete|[[Sara Petrick]]|USA}}
|55:49
|-
|37th
|2014
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Jonathan Mott|USA}}
|48:44
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Sara Petrick|USA}}
|55:49
|-
|38th
|2015
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Jonathan Mott|USA}}
|47:49<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/829/placings |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|Megan Goethals
|52:17<ref name=":0" />
|-
|39th
|2016
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Mike Parrish|USA}}
|46:38<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/1195/placings |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Becky Howarth|USA}}
|54:47<ref name=":1" />
|-
|40th
|2017
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Austin Richmond|USA}}
|47:26<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/1375/placings |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Stephanie Pezzullo|USA}}
|54:58<ref name=":2" />
|-
|41st
|2018
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Jonathan Mott|USA}}
|47:01<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/1940/placings |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Paige Howard|USA}}
|57:15<ref name=":3" />
|-
|42nd
|2019
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Chris Balestrini|CAN}}
|47:12<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/2234/placings |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Becky Howarth|USA}}
|55:49<ref name=":4" />
|-
|43rd
|2020
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Phil Parrot-Migas|CAN}}
|45:35<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/2349/placings |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Kristen Tenaglia|USA}}
|54:08<ref name=":5" />
|-
|44th
|2022
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Phil Parrot-Migas|CAN}}
|46:19<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/2424/placings |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Christina Welsh|USA}}
|54:43<ref name=":6" />
|-
|45th
|2023
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Jonathan Mott|USA}}
|48:50<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Xact Results |url=https://results2.xacte.com/#/e/2473/placings |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=results2.xacte.com}}</ref>
|align=left|{{Flag athlete|Christina Welsh|USA}}
|55:24<ref name=":7" />
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
;List of winners
*Gasparovic, Juraj & Leydig, Jack (2011-03-01). [https://arrs.run/HP_Gas15.htm Gasparilla Distance Classic 15 km]. [[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]]. Retrieved on 2011-10-23.

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080319120202/http://www.tampabayrun.com/site3.aspx Official website]

[[Category:Marathons in the United States]]
[[Category:15K runs]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Tampa, Florida]]
[[Category:Road running competitions in the United States]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1978]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Florida]]