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☰
Gasparilla Distance Classic Runner Comments
Back to Gasparilla Distance Classic Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 182 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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G. B. from Alpharetta, GA
(1/29/2004)
 "Great first marathon!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and it was a great experience. The course was fantastic with beautiful scenery (the all-flat course doesn't hurt either!). Weather was perfect. It was a well-oranized expo and event. The aid stations and voluteers were very helpful. While there were very few spectators, the ones that were out there were very supportive and enthusiastic. I will definitely make this an annual thing. Already looking forward to next year's race!!! | |
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Guy Lever from Atlanta
(1/29/2004)
 "Don't run Disney... run this one!!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great marathon for first-timers. Beautiful course, though have to admit I wasn't paying much attention to scenery the last 4 miles... The volunteers were awesome - always smiling and encouraging. Plenty of water and Gatorade stops. Spectators not in great abundance, but very vocal and supportive. Violin lady on Davis was very cool, Jimmy Buffet guy in industrial section cool too, cheerleaders on Bay Shore awesome... Great place for your family to watch you run. Several easily accessible points for viewing. Size of race was great as announcer was able to call my name as I crossed the finish... big rush to hear that. Thanks to Susan and staff. | |
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G. L. from Portsmouth, NH
(1/28/2004)
 "Tampa Proof" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I have nothing but praise for the Hops Marathon... the course was flat and fast and very scenic except for miles 9-12 running through industrial Tampa... the organization was awesome, water stops where abundant and pre-race and post-race activities were well directed, and the fans though few were enthusiastic and a great motivator. Music along the way gave the racers extra momentum and the overall atmosphere of the day made this virgin marathoner's first time something to remember. The 6 o'clock start was ideal and the weather provided optimum conditions for racers. The number of racers may have been small, but the camaraderie was overwhelming... a definite must-do for the first-timer! | |
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L. J. from Atlanta, Georgia, USA
(1/28/2004)
"Outstanding Event" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just wanted to add my congratulations to the people of Tampa for putting on a wonderful marathon! The course is well laid out (I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the race leaders on several occasions) and flat. The race volunteers were extremely helpful and there was an abundance of water stops and aid stations. Super Race! | |
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S. O. from Clearwater, FL
(1/28/2004)
"3rd times the charm!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my third running of the Hops Marathon and my 6th overall. It has definitely been the best marathon experience so far. I could not have asked for better weather and the spectators were great, although few. I enjoyed the loud cheerleaders along Bayshore and the violinist on Davis Island was so cool! I agree that running on Palm Avenue through Ybor is quite boring... why not run right through the heart of Ybor where we can view the city? I ran a PR Sunday and cannot wait 'til next year to do it all over again. To throw in a negative... the t-shirts could use some improvement. I'm getting tired of the same embroidery logo on the front of the shirt. Let's go large and different next year! | |
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L. L. from charlotte, nc
(1/28/2004)
"Great first marathon course" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Liked the early start and loved that so many spectators were there to cheer us on as we rumbled through their neighborhoods. Plenty of hydration stations and great scenery. Only thing that bothered my was the turn-around point for that last 13.1 miles was so freaking buried in a residental section that you couldn't see it and didn't think you would ever get to it. Also, loved the cheerleaders, but the lady with the mic near the finish saying only 'half mile to go' needs to get her distances right. | |
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B. M. from Ohio
(1/28/2004)
"This is a Diamond in the Rough" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was my 8th marathon, and could be one of my favorites. The race has everything except the crowds. The organization was great, drinks were always ready and plentiful, the temperature is perfect at least in my opinion. It's flat and beautiful. They give out enough supplies at the end to feed a small city. I would like to thank all of those people who make this event possible. It is clear there dedication to this event shows, great job. So again, no crowds, great medal, beautiful course, pleasant temps. Make this event a must. | |
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J. E. from Bel Air, Md.
(1/27/2004)
 "Great Weather and support " (about: 2004)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great job on the water stations and cheering support along the way. Please eliminate that brick pathway...(cruel and unnecessary). More vendors would be a plus for after the race. Thanks to Great Harvest, a nice treat. | |
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R. M. from Tampa, Fl
(1/27/2004)
"Don't Miss This Race!" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 8th marathon, my first Hops. Despite living in Tampa, I didn't run the first three editions of this race, believing that an out-of-town marathon would hold more appeal. What a mistake. Because the the marathon is run the day after the Gasparilla 15k and 5k, which draw app. 15,000 runners, the race enjoys the expo, support and amenities of a much larger marathon. Yet, because the marathon draws less than 1/10th that number, on race day, one never gets the crowded 'Ellis Island refugee' feel I've experienced at 'big city' marathons. The course is tailor-made for a PR (I didn't, but then again I was running the PT Cruiser Challenge). I give high marks to the scenery, the enthusiasm of the crowd, and the volunteers. I'll take the race organization over that of any of the previous seven marathons I've run. Do this race! | |
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M. C. from BELLBROOK, OHIO
(1/27/2004)
"BEAUTIFUL COURSE" (about: 2004)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course takes you through some beautiful neighborhoods in Tampa plus along the bay. I have run 12 marathons and this is my favorite course. It is a small marathon but is very well organized. Highly recommended. I will run it again. |
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