Turnout brings smile to Harmeling's face

The Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic is polished and ready to roll, bigger and stronger than ever before.

As of Monday, the race weekend (Saturday-Sunday) had 22,500 pre-race entries. Add those to the 2,500 expected to sign up over the weekend, and the total shatters the record of 20,000 set last year.

No wonder Susan Harmeling - after 18 years as the race director - can't wipe off her grin.

The race, like Harmeling, has continued to step up, which is saying a lot because if you haven't noticed the economy hasn't been too hot the past couple of years.

So what's the race's secret?

Publix? Largely. Harmeling? Definitely. The city? Certainly. Volunteers? No doubt.

Harmeling, for one, can't talk enough about Publix, which became the title sponsor for the 2008 race, a short time after Bank of America said it was pulling out as the title sponsor.

"I understand Bank of America's decision, but I can't say that losing them was an easy thing to deal with," Harmeling said. "To be honest, I remember I was at the breakfast when I got the news that Bank of America was pulling out. I drove down to the Ballast Point Pier and sat there and had a good cry for 15 minutes. I mean, financially, that was a little scary. Then I said, well, now it's time to move on. I've got to get someone else."

Harmeling, 54, went to straight to Publix, which had been a presenting sponsor, a move Harmeling said was the best move ever. The two biggest pluses, she said, are that Publix is tuned into the community and savvy with the presentation.

"This year you can't drive in or out of the city without seeing one of our billboards," Harmeling said. "Publix did that. And that kind of thing makes a huge difference. Believe me."

She said the other thing that's important, is simple: "You have to care about every single person in the race. If one person walks away from that race without a smile on their face then I take it personally.

"Seriously, the person who finishes last is just as important as the champion that breaks the tape. And everyone working the race (2,000 volunteers) believes the same way.

"It's that commitment to that level of quality. That makes a huge difference."