Tampa’s Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K

FEBRUARY 22, 2026

2026 PGDC REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Click below to view the 2025 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K video!

START TIMES

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

PUBLIX GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC 8K

 Publix Gasparilla Rolling 8K Start:

Bayshore Blvd. & Verne St. Start: 9:15 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

Wave Start #2

Wave #2 Race Number

8K START

Location: Bayshore Boulevard & Verne Street

Participant Instructions:

• All participants should access the Start lines from the rear, using the Platt Street Bridge adjacent to the Franklin Street Entrance of the Tampa Convention Center.

• Seeded Men & Women Only will access the 8K Start from the front, using the Seeded/Elite entrance adjacent to the start platform on the north side of Bayshore Boulevard.

Entry Requirements

📋 8K Registration Requirements & Deadlines

• All 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K participants MUST sign the Race Application Waiver.

• For participants under 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian MUST sign the waiver.

📬 Mail-In Registration

• All mail-in 8K registration forms must be postmarked by January 9, 2026.

• Download the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Mail-in Registration Form.

⏰ Late Registration & Fees

• Late online registration fees begin Saturday, January 10, 2026.

• Entry forms postmarked after January 9, 2026, will be processed during Race Weekend and at the Tampa Bay 28 Health & Fitness Expo.

• If available, 8K Weekend Late Registration Fees will apply for these late entries.

8K Entry Fees

The prices below do not include a service fee charged by our registration partner.

🔁 Registration Policies & Race Confirmation

🚫 No Refunds or Transfers

Please note that refunds and/or transfers of registration are not allowed for any of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend Events. All registrations are final.

💻 Online Registration

• Online registration will remain open until Sunday, February 15, 2026, if space is available.

• Beginning Saturday, January 10, 2026, Online Late Registration Fees will apply for the 8K and other events.

📧 Registration Confirmation Emails

Participants who register online will receive:

1. An immediate confirmation from Race Roster upon successful registration.
2. A Race Week Registration Confirmation Email will be sent no earlier than Monday, February 16, 2026, which will include:

   • Race Number

   • Name

   • Address

   • Race Entered

   • Age

Please ensure you provide a correct and legible email address to receive your confirmation details.

Runner Premiums

🏃‍♂️ Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K – 2026 Participant Perks

All 2026 8K participants will receive the following:

🎽 Race Gear & Swag:

• Official 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K Gender-Specific Performance Wicking Race Shirt

• 2026 PGDC Branded Rooms To Go Reusable Shopping Bag

• Final Voyage Publix Running Hat
  (This is the last year for this item — new item coming in 2027!)

💻 Digital Goodies:

• 2026 PGDC Virtual Race Bag

• Personalized 2026 PGDC 8K Virtual Finisher’s Certificate
  (A valid email address is required during registration.)

🏅 Finisher Rewards (For those who cross the finish line):

• 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K Finisher’s Medal

• 2026 PGDC 8K Finisher’s Towel

• Post-Race Food & Beverages

• Complimentary 12-ounce Michelob Ultra (21+ only)

⚠️ Important Note on Late Registration:

Participants who register online after January 10, 2026, or during Race Weekend Late Registration (if available):

• WILL receive a gender-specific performance wicking Race Shirt

• BUT are not guaranteed a correctly-sized shirt 2026 PGDC Gender-Specific Sizing Chart

 To ensure you receive your preferred shirt type and size, be sure to register before January 10, 2026!

ChronoTrack Timing Tags

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association is again proud to lead the pack in offering its runners and walkers the latest in race timing technology.

In 2026, race participants will be timed using the ChronoTrack B-Tag Timing System, developed with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

How It Works

The technology is built into a tag attached to the back of each participant’s race number.

Transponder pads at the Start and Finish Lines record each participant’s time.
After the race, every participant will receive both their:

• Start Time (Gun Time)

• Net Time – timing begins when you cross the 8K Start Line and ends when you cross the 8K Finish Line.

At the Finish Line, there will be no backups—runners and walkers will cross, celebrate their accomplishment, receive their Finisher’s Medal, stop to pose for the Photo Booth, and then head to the Q105 Post-Race Celebration at Cotanchobee Park!

Important Note for Dual Event Participants

If you plan to run both the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon and the 2026 Publix Gasparilla 8K on Sunday, February 22, 2026, you must register and complete a separate entry form for each event.

Unless you are participating in the Michelob Ultra Challenge, you will receive:

• One Half Marathon Race Number, and

• One 8K Race Number.

When running the Half Marathon, you must wear only your assigned Half Marathon Race Number.
Do not wear or carry your 8K Race Number.

Before starting the 8K, you must remove your Half Marathon Race Number and replace it with your 8K Race Number.

⚠️ Because of the sensitivity of the ChronoTrack Timing Device, wearing or carrying multiple race numbers (such as your 8K bib during the Half Marathon, or vice versa) can interfere with your official race results.

Packet Pick Up

📦 2026 PGDC 8K – Race Packet, T-Shirt & Race Number Pick-Up

Race Packet Pick-Up for the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K will take place during the:

🏢 Tampa Bay 28 Health & Fitness Expo

Presented by TampaWell
📍 Tampa Convention Center – East Hall

🗓️ Expo Dates & Times:

• Friday, February 20, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Saturday, February 21, 2026 | Beginning at 6:00 a.m.

❗ Important Pick-Up Policy:

If you are unable to attend the Expo to pick up your Race Number in person:

1. You MUST complete and sign a Race Number Pick-Up Authorization Form.
2. The person picking up your Race Packet must present this form at the Expo.

📄 Race Number Pick-up Authorization Form

Finish Line Engravers

Celebrate your accomplishment in style!
Commemorate your perseverance and pride by personalizing your 2026 PGDC Finisher Medal (including multiple events and Challenges) with your name and official net finish time.

After you cross the finish line, visit the Finish Line Engravers Booth located in the Runner Revive Area on the Platt Street Bridge. Their team will engrave your medal on the spot, turning your hard-earned achievement into a lasting keepsake.

When purchasing, please specify the bib number(s) you’d like engraved.

How to Order

• Before race day: Add the 2026 PGDC Finish Line Engraving to your online registration.

• Already registered? Use the link below to order your engraving now!

👉 Order Your 2026 PGDC Finish Line Engraving

FinisherPix, the Official Photographers of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, allows you to order your photos now & save!

For a small fee, you can receive the FinisherPix Photo Pack in Digital Format. The FinisherPix Photo Pack includes ALL photos we identify of you in all digital formats (Basic digital image, Digital images with Finish Time, and Digital images in certificate format). A link to download all images will automatically be emailed when the photos are available online.

Presale Pricing

15K                                                                        $19.99
5K                                                                          $14.99
Half Marathon                                                   $29.99
8K                                                                          $14.99
Michelob Ultra Challenge                               $69.99
Michelob Ultra Pure Gold Challenge           $44.99
Michelob Ultra Infusion Challenge               $29.99
Michelob Ultra Zero Challenge                      $29.99

To purchase the 2026 PGDC FinisherPix, register online. If you have registered, please use the link below to order your 2026 PGDC FinisherPix.

PGDC FinisherPix

🎖️ 2026 PGDC Supporter Medals

Throughout the 2026 PGDC Race Weekend, thousands of runners and walkers will take on the challenge—stepping up to their Start Lines and heading down Bayshore Boulevard toward their Finish Lines. Every mile completed is the result of countless hours of training, dedication, and support.

But behind every runner is a team—family, friends, and loved ones who supported their journey. Whether it was helping with meals, laundry, hydration, snacks, or offering words of encouragement, they were there every step of the way.

Now it’s your turn to say thank you.

💙 A Medal for Your Biggest Fans

The 2026 PGDC Supporter Medals are your way to honor the people who helped get you to the finish line. After you receive your finisher’s medal, walk up to your supporter, present them with their own medal, and say:

“Because of you, I crossed the finish line… thank you!”

Let them feel the joy and pride of being part of your PGDC experience.

🏅 About the Supporter Medals

• Design: Replicas of the official 2026 PGDC 15K, 5K, Half Marathon, and 8K Finisher’s Medals

• Finish: Acrylic (to distinguish from race finisher medals)

• Includes: The same vibrant, event-themed ribbon

📦 How to Get Yours

• Haven’t registered yet? Register now and add a Supporter Medal to your order.

• Already registered? Click here to order your Supporter Medal separately.

💆‍♂️ Pre- & Post-Race Massage Services

Get ready to recover like a pro! The Gasparilla Massage Team will be on-site offering Post-Race Massage Services following the:

• Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K & 5K (Saturday)

• Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon & 8K (Sunday)

🗓️ Massage Availability

Dates:

• Saturday & Sunday, after your race

Services & Rates:

• 15-Minute Massage: $21

• 20-Minute Massage: $28

💡 Save by booking early! These rates apply only to prepaid massages made through online registration.
Race Day pricing will be slightly higher.

🧾 How to Purchase

• Not registered yet? Register now and add your message during sign-up.

• Already registered? Click here to purchase your Post-Race Massage separately.

Make the most of your race weekend—relax, recover, and reward yourself!