8K COURSE INFORMATION
The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K features an out and back course on beautiful Bayshore Boulevard, finishing on Bayshore Boulevard at the foot of the Platt Street Bridge.
PUBLIX GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC 8K
• Publix Gasparilla Rolling 8K Start: Bayshore Blvd. & Verne St. Start: 9:15 a.m.
In 2025, the Publix Gasparilla 8K will feature one rolling Wave Start. The 8K will feature eight corrals of 500 on Bayshore Boulevard at Verne Street. The rolling 8K Start will begin at 9:15 a.m. As a corral clears the Start Line, the next corral will be immediately walked forward to the Start Line. On Race Morning, once a corral reaches capacity at 500, the corral will close, and another will open. Race Numbers will be assigned according to each participant’s Projected Finish Time (90 minutes & Under or 91 minutes & Over) that was provided at the time of registration.
START
Bayshore Blvd & Verne St.
• Head South on Bayshore Blvd. to W. Stovall St.
• Turn around at Stovall St. (first cut in median past Bay to Bay Blvd.)
• Head North on Bayshore Blvd. to Finish Line.
Finish: Tarpon Dock, Bayshore Blvd. (between Beach Place & Hyde Park Place)
Course Records 8K
Overall Male: 23:30, Bobby Curtis, 2013
Overall Female: 30:00, Holly Ochs, 2012
Course Clocks & Mile Markers
Digital time clocks and mile markers will be positioned along the 8K course at every mile.
Back in 2025!
Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water
Half-Way There
Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water
will greet runners and walkers with a Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water
Half-Way There Celebration at the
Publix Gasparilla 8K Half-Way Point!
PLEASE NOTE: The 2025 Publix Gasparilla 8k will start promptly at 9:15 am. Once the Start Area is cleared, the Start will be closed. Once the Start is officially closed, the timing mats will be pulled, and runners/walkers arriving late will not be allowed on the course. Runners and walkers participating in the 2025 Michelob Ultra Challenge must complete the Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon in under 2:55 and allow enough time to make it to the official Start Line of the Publix Gasparilla 8K.
Aid Stations
There will be one Start, and Finish Aid Station and 6-Course Aid Stations set one mile apart beginning at the two-mile mark of the 8K. Aid Stations will supply Zephyrhills Spring Water, which, since 1978, has been the Official Bottled Water of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend Events. Gatorade Endurance Formula (Lemon-Lime Flavor), since 1978, has been the Official Sports Drink Hydration Partner of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend Events, which will be distributed at mile 3.
Gatorade Endurance is On-Course! Gatorade Endurance is proud to be the Official Energy Nutrition and Hydration Partner of the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
Grounded in years of hydration and sports nutrition research at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, the Gatorade Endurance line of products helps deliver fluids and nutrients endurance athletes need for training or racing.
On-Course Hydration: Gatorade Endurance Formula Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sport drink designed to help maintain hydration during prolonged training and racing when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant. It contains nearly two times the sodium (200mg) and more than three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to help maintain hydration and proper fluid balance and help replace the critical electrolytes lost in sweat during these occasions.
Gatorade Endurance Formula (Lemon-Lime) will be available at every Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon Aid Station. At each Aid Station, the tables will be set-up so that participants can be offered Gatorade first and then, Zephyrhills Spring Water.
On-Course Nutrition: Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel – HALF MARATHON ONLY
Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel provides carbohydrate energy that’s easy to take down and has a smooth feel. Like the entire Gatorade Endurance line, Energy Gel is made for meeting the unique fueling needs of endurance athletes.
To learn more about the Gatorade Endurance line of products, visit gatorade.com/endurance. Or, to purchase for training or racing, visit our online retailer, fuelbelt.com.”
Finish Line
Rooms To Go Volunteers will greet you at the Finish Line and will provide you with Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula (Lemon-Lime) that, since 1978, have been the Official Bottled Water and Official Sports Hydration Drink of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend.
Finish Line Hydration: Grounded in years of hydration and sports nutrition research at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, the Gatorade Endurance line of products helps deliver fluids and nutrients endurance athletes need for training or racing.
Gatorade Endurance Formula Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink designed to help maintain hydration during prolonged training and racing when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant. It contains nearly two times the sodium (200mg) and more than three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to help maintain hydration and proper fluid balance and help replace the critical electrolytes lost in sweat during these occasions.
Finish Line Hydration: Zephyrhills® Brand Natural Spring Water comes from five carefully selected Florida spring sources. Whether Zephyrhills is monitoring, sharing, or teaching others about it — their main focus is still the fresh-tasting spring water of Florida.
Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water If you’re from Florida like us, you know water. But we’re not just discussing splashing around on the shore and building sand castles. We’re talking about the importance of consuming fresh, refreshing water for proper hydration during sporting events. We also know that Florida’s fresh-tasting, refreshing spring water naturally comes from the earth. So when we source Zephyrhills® Brand Natural Spring Water for your hydration needs, we know that the naturally occurring minerals provide the water’s great taste — just like nature intended.
Medical Support
In the Finish Line Area, Tampa General Hospital will provide a fully equipped Medical Facility staffed with a team of Tampa General Hospital Emergency Room Medical Professionals. Only participants requiring medical assistance will be allowed access to the TGH Medical Facility. Medical Staff will be ready to assist you at all times. Tampa Fire Rescue Paramedics will be stationed along the 8K course and roving on motorized bicycles and golf carts. The Medical Staff will have the right to withdraw any runners or walkers from the race who appear in distress or at risk should they continue running.
Safety
For the safety and enjoyment of all event participants, the course(s) are restricted to registered runners and walkers and official race personnel ONLY. No dogs, strollers, baby joggers, bikes, in-line skates, roller skates, or wheeled vehicles will be allowed on-course. Violators will be disqualified and removed from the course by a Race Official. For the safety of all, in accordance with RRCA Guidelines (Road Runners Clubs of America) the use of headphones is discouraged.