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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 151 to 161]
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A. S. from Charlotte, NC
(1/23/2003)
 " very well organized, excellent course,lots of fun" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a very well organized marathon, an excellent course with very good spectators and a great city to visit. It is an excellent runners weekend with the Gaspirilla 15K and 5K on Sat. and the marathon on Sun. Lots of fun !!! | |
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R. N. from Orlando, Florida
(1/22/2003)
"One of the best!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the Jacksonville Marathon the month before and I thought the Hops Marathon in Tampa Bay was much nicer in comparison. Refreshments every mile, clocks and porto-lets every 2 miles, friendly spectators, nice shirt (hint: get a size larger than you normally would), and a flat but scenic route. A thoroughly pleasant run that I have no reservations recommending to fellow runners. My only criticism is that it seemed difficult for people outside of the Tampa Bay area to register. Mail-in forms were difficult to come by, and they insisted on packet pickup at an Expo in Tampa on Saturday afternoon - very inconvenient for people coming from 75 miles or so away (the race was on Sunday morning). Also, the directions assumed familiarity with the local area. I think the race was geared principally to people in the Tampa/St. Pete area. | |
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T. R. from Somerville, MA
(1/21/2003)
"Flat, fast Boston Qualifier!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a great time, a great race and met my goal of qualifying for Boston. The weather was great and I didn't mind the early start at all. It would be nice to find an alternative to the cobblestone portion of the route. I think that as this race gains some popularity, there will be more people out on the course to cheer the competitors. Thank you to all involved with the organization of the race! | |
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s. c. from pittsburgh pa
(1/17/2003)
 "Once is enough" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 10th marathon. Just didnt take to this marathon. Expo was small, shirt was thin, didnt like running so long in the dark, too much doubling back, and the cobblestone must go. I train with gatorade and was thrilled to have it on the course. I've run Vegas and Columbus two times and would go a third time. Would not return to Tampa | |
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C. R. from Palm Coast Florida USA
(1/16/2003)
"What an awesome Marathon..." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Running Hops, and then a week later doing Disney, NO doubt Hops was great! The water and fuel along the way, the bananas, the energy food, and fuel. The porta pots all along the way. I guess you could say I was spoiled, cause when I ran Disney, and they were out of bananas at the 13.1 mark, not a good thing at all. I kept saying this isn't like Hops.... Yes we may have done a little better with more fans, but it is a new Marathon. All I can say is Tampa spoiled us Marathoners... And if I am going to do Hops, or Disney, I will for sure do Hops, without a doubt....Thank you so much Tampa and Hops.... Awesome run, view, support...... | |
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J. C. from Pittsburgh, PA
(1/12/2003)
 "Okay Course, Great Organization, NO FANS" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Second Marathon. Nice course except for the COBBLE STONE?? THAT STUNK!!! I liked Baltimore better. To early of start, not much fan support. Shirts were okay, not great. Medal was GREAT. Overall I give it a 6 of 10 Stars!! | |
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F. E. from Long Island, New York/USA
(1/9/2003)
"A very nice event!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon this year (7 last year/18 to date). Finished in 4:51 (Chip)- no PR but I enjoyed it. Without a doubt, this is one of the better ones. I'd rate it behind Hawaii, on a par with SF, Ca.- Nashville, Tn.-OK. City-So. Bend, In. and better than many of the remaining events I ran. Very nice course and great organization, including a great Expo. Good support/friendly people (special thanks to the ladies in the gear retrieval room for their friendliness and spirit!). Of couse, the cool weather helped too. I recommend it highly- good luck in future events....and THANKS! Spikesboy LI, NY | |
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B. C. from Oregon, Ohio
(1/8/2003)
 "Very nice race, well organized" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 The Hops Marathon was my 5th marathon, and the best experience I have ever had. It was very well organized, and the expo was nice. I would recommend this race for anyone not needing fans for support. The 6:00 a.m start is early, which is understandable why not many fans would make it out that early. The medals and long-sleeve t-shirts were better than most. The weather was perfect the entire day. The only 2 things I didn't care for was running on the bridges and the brick roads. Maybe some carpet or something over the these 2 spots would help. It wasn't that big of a deal though. Thank you Tampa for a great weekend, the volunteers did an awesome job. Even after I finished my run, I went back 4 hours later, and the volunteers were still there cheering on the remaining competitors. The 5K & the 15K were a great idea on Sat. One last thing, I liked how the runners ran past the finish line @ 8 miles and again @ 13.5. It made it nice for the fans to stay put and not have to walk around and still get to see their runners multiple times unlike many marathons. If you're wondering whether or not to run this race, stop wondering and register now for 2004! Keep up the good work Tampa. Go Bucs!! | |
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A. M. from Tampa, Florida
(1/8/2003)
"Great organization, great course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After the inaugural run, I swore I wouldn't run this race ever again. It was poorly organized, poorly supported, and too hot. Decided to give my hometown marathon one more try and I'm glad I did. Boy did they do a complete turn around on this one! Moving the race to January and eliminating MacDill AFB from the course made a huge difference. Well manned water stations with enthusiastic volunteers. Spectators were sparse for most of the course especially in Ybor City but those that turned out were fantastic. Forget Disney and do this one instead. It's becoming a great race. | |
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Jordan Clouse from Little Rock, Arkansas
(1/7/2003)
"Superb Organization and Well Laid Out Course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 If you are looking to set a PR, this is a course for you. A very flat, fast course, that is extremely well laid out for spectators. I ran the NYC Marathon last November in 3:43:46, and two months later ran this marathon in 3:16:11, with very little difference in training. At the start, spectators are within a 10 minute walk to see the runners again at the 8-mile point, the 1/2 marathon point and the finish line. The aid stations were every mile and well staffed, and the view of Tampa Bay was spectacular. The only negative was sparse crowd support - there was good support at the start and finish, but very little along most of the route. Although the ideal course conditions more than made up for it. Unless you really need large, cheering crowds, this is a must-run marathon in a fun city. |
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