Tampa’s Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon

FEBRUARY 22, 2026

Click below to view the 2025 Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon video!

START TIMES • Sunday, February 22, 2026

🏁 Tampa’s Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon

🗓️ Sunday, February 22, 2026

🕕 Start Time: 6:00 a.m.
📍 Rolling Start Location: Platt Street & Bayshore Boulevard

⚠️ IMPORTANT RACE MORNING NOTICE

🚧 Access to the Half Marathon Staging Area will CLOSE at 5:50 a.m. SHARP!

Please plan to arrive early to allow time for parking, warm-up, and corral entry.
Once the area is closed, you will not be allowed to enter or start the race.

🏁 2026 Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon Start Details

🕕 Start Time: 6:00 a.m.
📍 Start Location: Platt Street & Bayshore Boulevard

🎽 Start Staging

Start Staging will be based on each participant’s Projected Finish Time, as submitted during registration.

There will be two official Start Staging Areas, designed to ensure a smooth, efficient, and safe start experience for all runners.

Additional details, including corral assignments and staging maps, will be provided in your Race Week Registration Confirmation Email (sent by Monday, February 16, 2026).

Wave #2 Race Number

🏃‍♀️ Half Marathon Staging:

2+ Hours Wave

📍 Staging Location:
Platt Street / Platt Street Bridge

🧭 How to Access the Staging Area

🔹 For Runners Assigned to the 2+ Hours Wave:

• Enter the Staging Area from the rear

• The entrance is located at Platt Street & Channelside Drive, near the north end of the Platt Street Bridge

🧭 Directions by Location

🔹 From the North (Tampa Convention Center / Downtown Tampa):

• Runners will be directed to the Platt Street Bridge and into the secured Staging Area by event staff and signage

🔹 From the South:

• Use the sidewalks along Platt Street Bridge

• Head north to enter the rear of the 2+ Hours Wave Staging Area

✅ Reminder: This staging area is for runners who provided a Projected Finish Time over 2 hours during registration.

🚧 Staging area access closes at 5:50 a.m. sharp — please arrive early!

Half Marathon Seeded Start Access

Half Marathon Seeded Start Access

Access to the Half Marathon Seeded Start Area is limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to Request Seeded Start Access:

• During registration, you will be asked if you want to be considered for a seeded start number.

• If you select ‘Yes’, you must upload proof of a past finish time that meets the required standards.

Required Finish Times for Seeded Start Access:

Finish Time Requirements for Women:

• Half Marathon – 1:45:00 or less
• 15K – 1:15:00 or less
• 10K – 50-minutes or less

🚶‍♂️ Walkers in the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon

Walkers are welcome to participate in the Half Marathon! To ensure safety and compliance with road closure permits, the following pacing requirements will be enforced:

⏱️ Pacing Rules:

• First 5 Miles (Davis Islands Portion):
  Walkers must maintain at least a 16-minute per mile pace.

  • Participants unable to complete the first 5 miles by 7:20 a.m. (1 hour 20 minutes) will be moved to the Davis Islands sidewalk until they reach Bayshore Boulevard.

  • Once on Bayshore Blvd., walkers will be transferred back onto the road for the remainder of the race.

• Miles 5 to 11 (Bay to Bay Blvd.):
  Walkers must reach Bay to Bay Boulevard by 9:00 a.m. (3 hours from start).

  • Those who cannot meet this time will be moved to the Bayshore Boulevard sidewalk until Bay to Bay.

  • At Bay to Bay, walkers will be allowed back on the road and will share the course with 8K participants.

⚠️ Important:

These pacing rules are necessary to keep the course safe and open for all participants and to comply with local regulations.

Half Marathon Entry Fees

Refunds and/or transfers of registration are not allowed in ANY of the 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Race Weekend Events.

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

If available, online registration will remain open until Sunday, February 15, 2026, but beginning Saturday, January 9, 2026, the cost of Half Marathon registration will be according to the Online Late Registration Fees.

✅ Registration Confirmation & Mail-In Registration

📧 Race Week Registration Confirmation – Online Registrants

Participants who register online and provide a valid, legible email address will receive:

• A Race Week Registration Confirmation Email by Monday, February 16, 2026

• This will be in addition to the confirmation email from Race Roster upon completing online registration.

Your Race Week Confirmation will include:

• Assigned Race Number

• Name & Mailing Address

• Race Entered

• Age

⚠️ Important Email Notice

If you unsubscribe from the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic E-Blast Database, you will NOT receive your Race Week Registration Confirmation.

➡️ To rejoin the PGDC E-Blast Database, please Click Here!

📬 Mail-In (Offline) Registration Instructions

Participants who prefer to register by mail must follow these guidelines:

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Download the 2026 PGDC By-Mail Form-Fillable Registration Form
2. Click each field, fill in the required information, print, and sign
3.  Enclose the Entry Fee + $5 Mail-In Processing Fee
4. Mail the completed form and payment to:

GDCA
P.O. Box 1881
Tampa, FL 33601-1881

💵 Mail-In Processing Fee

• A $5 processing fee must be added to the total registration payment.

• Incomplete payments (without the $5 fee) will be returned.

📅 Mail-In Registration Deadline

• All mail-in entries must be postmarked by Friday, January 9, 2026

📧 Confirmation for Mail-In Registrants

Participants who register by mail and provide a correct, legible email address will receive their Race Week Confirmation Email by Monday, February 16, 2026, including:

• Assigned Race Number

• Name, Address

• Race Entered

• Age

📦 2026 PGDC 15K – 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

Runner Premiums

🏃‍♂️ Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon – 2026 Participant Perks

All 2026 Half Marathon participants will receive the following:

🎽 Race Gear & Swag:

• Official 2026 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon 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 Half Marathon 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 Half Marathon Finisher’s Medal

• 2026 PGDC Half Marathon 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 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. Much like the original ChampionChip Timing System when it was introduced, the B-Tag system dramatically improves overall efficiency and enhances the participant experience.

How It Works

The technology is built into a small tag attached to the back of each runner’s Race Number — that’s all there is to it!

Transponder pads at the Start Line, Finish Line, and various points along the course will automatically record each participant’s time.

After the race, each participant will receive their:

• Start Time

• Chip Time

• Any recorded split times

Important Note for Dual Event Participants

If you plan to run both the Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon and the Publix Gasparilla 8K on Sunday, February 22, 2026, you must register and complete an individual 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 during the Half Marathon.

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 (for example, your 8K number during the Half Marathon, or vice versa) may interfere with your official race results.

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

🎖️ 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.

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

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

💆‍♂️ Pre- & Post-Race Massage Services

Get ready to recover like a pro! The Gasparilla Massage Team will be onsite 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!