TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Floridians Have Shot To Share Gasparilla Marathon Purse

ADVERTISEMENT

By BILL WARD, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 4, 2008

TAMPA - With no Floridians in the recent U.S. Olympic men's marathon trials and only three qualifiers from the state who will compete at the women's trials in April, Tampa's Gasparilla Marathon officials have decided to offer prize money for the top three Florida runners in the race, slated for Feb. 10.

The marathon will feature a $12,000 purse, with the first male and female finishers from Florida earning $3,000. The state's second-place runners win $2,000 and third place takes home $1,000.

In previous Gasparilla Marathons, the race has featured prize money for the top masters (over age 40) finishers or for the overall winners.

"We've tried to find our niche with the marathon," Gasparilla race director Susan Harmeling said. "In terms of prize money, we can't compete with the Chicagos or Bostons of the marathon world. So after seeing Florida had no male qualifiers at the Olympic marathon trials, we decided to do our part by trying to help the elite runners of our state."

Harmeling said her marathon will also offer $9,000 in time bonuses, with an additional $1,500 for any three Floridians cracking 2 hours, 30 minutes in the men's race and the same money going to any three women from the state breaking 2:55. The race date also features a half marathon and marathon relay.

Another feature to this year's weekend of racing is the return of a competitive wheelchair division in Gasparilla's 15k race and the introduction of the Kellogg's Special K Walk and Stroller Roll in the 5k. Both races are Feb. 9, the day before the marathon, and feature a new title sponsor, Publix Super Markets.

Underwritten by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the wheelchair division will offer $10,000 in prize money for various wheelchair divisions based on the disability. These athletes will once again have their own starting gun prior to the 15k. The Florida chapter of the CAF will be raising funds through Gasparilla when entrants sign up for Team CAF and agree to raise a minimum of $100.

After years of not allowing strollers, Gasparilla is now inviting families to walk or jog together in the 5k. Children in strollers will receive the No. 1 race number and, after they finish, will be presented with their own finisher's medal.

Registration for all of the Gasparilla races is ongoing. Race applications are available at area Publix and Sports Authority stores. For more information, visit www.tampabayrun.com

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached

at (813) 259-7456 or wward@

tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT