Tampa 26.2

Florida Road Races

The Clearwater Florida Gulf Beach Road Races are back with a vengeance.  There are no fewer than seven races on the schedule – from a 5 miler, to several half marathons, to the return of the Gulf Beaches – now Clearwater – marathon!

See the site for details.

http://www.floridaroadraces.com/

They even have awards for combinations of awards for races totaling up to 52.4 miles!

At a time where Gasparilla is cutting back, Chris and his crew are expanding.  Kudos!  Lets support him by running some of the races.  Several races have discounted early entry fees so peruse the site soon.

Next up – the Halloween Halfathon – any takers?

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1769229

Gasparilla Online Registration Closing

Online Registration Will Close at 11:59pm on Sunday, February 22, 2009 Register Now! Late Registration for the Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K & 5K and Gasparilla Marathon & Half Marathon will be available during the 2009 8 On Your Side Health & Fitness Expo.      The expo will be held at the Tampa Convention Center on Friday, February 27, 10am - 8pm, and Saturday, February 28, 6am - 5pm.  Cash or Check Only! Rooms are still available at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk & Hyatt Regency Tampa!  Both hotels are just steps away from the Tampa Convention Center and Start & Finish Lines.

Gasparilla Online Registration Ends Soon

A reminder – online registration for Gasparilla ends February 22nd at Midnight!

Register here for any of the races.

Times Turkey Trot Registration Open

This year’s Times Turkey Trot Registration – better known as the annual “Avoid the In-Laws 10K” - is now open!

https://secure.birchfalls.com/Birchfalls/clients/TurkeyTrot/

Update: Here is the main site:

http://tampabay.com/turkeytrot/

St. Pete Roadrunners 5K Series

Looking for a regular 5K this summer?  The St. Pete Roadrunners have 1 each month:

For the sun worshiper in you!

http://sprr.org/Summer_5K_Series.html

US Marine Corps Unveils the "Historic Half"

The US Marine Corps announces an new half marathon in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Inaugural run is May 18, 2008.  See the new web site: 

Historic Half Home Page

2008 Strawberry Festival Registration Available

Registration for the annual race in Temple Terrace is now available. The race is March 8th at 8:00AM.  This race originates in the Temple Terrace Elementary School Parking Lot; the Galloway Training Program will make alternate arrangements on that day.

Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135

 

On a recommendation from Jason Spivey, I rented the documentary Running on the Sun, The Badwater 135.  This film chronicles the a 135 mile race held in the middle of the desert - Death Valley National Park.  40 runners are invited to run; this documentary follows 13 of them through out the race.  None of them are professionals; in fact the variety of personalities in the race is really remarkable.  One of the runners that completes the race is in his 60's.

If 135 miles were not enough, the runners make two climbs of greater that 3000 feet, including one at the end to the finish line.  The drama as these runners battle the elements, time and heat is remarkable.

I recommend this film to anyone interested in running.  It really shows the depth of human endurance.  Also, you will witness blistered feet even worse than you've seen in our group!

Encore Presentation of "Spirit of the Marathon"

For those that missed the movie this past Thursday, there is an encore presentation on February 21st.

http://www.fathomevents.com/details.aspx?eventid=694

The 280 seat theatre at Citrus Park Mall was completely sold out - I saw the movie with some of the running posse.  Fortunately we arrived in in time to get some good seats.  The the demand must have been strong all over, convincing the distributor to schedule another screening.

I thought the film was impressive.  It features the 2005 Chicago Marathon and follows 5 people of various skills through the training process and race itself.  The musical score was great  and the photography, especially the overhead shots of the race, was pretty dramatic.  The comments, as well as the training regimen (140 miles per week!) of elite runner Deena Kastor were featured.

If you know someone that wants to know what this "marathon thing" is all about, it would be a good movie to take them to.  Other than attending a race, it is the next best thing.

A Brief Chat With "Spirit Of The Marathon" Director Jon Dunham

Courtesy of Runners World:

http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/2008/01/a-brief-chat--2.html