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And They're Off: Thousands Take Part In Gasparilla Run

Jay Nolan/The Tampa Tribune

Racers take off for the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K Wheelchair race Saturday morning

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

TAMPA - With the sound of a horn, the mass of humanity lined up at Bayshore Boulevard surged forward this morning. Thousands sprang forth from the starting line, bound for glory or the satisfaction of just staying the course.

The 2008 Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic was under way, bringing run-of-the-mill runners to rub shoulders with some of the best athletes around.

The event started at 7:30 a.m. with a 15-kilometer race through downtown. Skies were cloudy, and the mid-60s temperatures were expected to rise throughout the morning.

In all, the 15-kilometer, 5-kilometer and marathon races are expected to draw more than 17,000 runners today. Many spectators lined the race course with cameras in hand.

It took nearly four minutes for all of this morning's racers to get past the starting line, at which point the announcer told them: "We'll see everybody at the finish line.''

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