By Juliana Seaman
TAMPA, Fla. — On Feb. 22, an estimated 29,000 runners were laced up to start the half marathon along one of the most scenic routes in Tampa.
The 48th annual marathon started and finished on Bayshore Blvd. with a distance of 13.1 miles.
The money raised from the Gasparilla run was donated to local charities, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay Chapter.
Within just one hour of the marathon, there was a winner. A semi-professional runner from Colorado, Grant Colligan, traveled to Tampa for the race. Aside from his daily running routines, he told ABC WFTS Tampa Bay he was not prepared for this race.
“It was pretty awesome,” Colligan told ABC. “The group started out together, and then I kind of took off, and 2 and 3 caught me with about a mile to go.”
Although he said he hoped for a better time, he was awarded with $2,000. With a love for running like Colligan, runners from far and near participated in the Gasparilla Marathon. Some locals of the Tampa Bay area ran for reasons other than a passion.
University of Florida alum and Tampa native Brooke Ginaitt said she recently picked up the hobby of running.
She graduated in the Fall semester of 2024, and said she has been running almost every day. Ginaitt runs about four to six miles daily.
“My first run was a 5k, so this was the longest marathon I ran so far,” said Ginaitt. “I have to say it was a really cool experience and I am so proud of myself that I am able to cross this off my bucket list.”
This was her second marathon, and she finished within an hour and a half, ranking her in the top 150.
Another Tampa local, Juan Carlos Garcia, served in the military and said he enjoys participating in outdoor activities and wanted to run in the marathon.
“It wasn’t easy, but I would say I was prepared,” said Garcia. “I felt fine after the run, but I did actually feel a lot of pain on the bottom of my feet. The next day I just had the worst migraine.”
The Gasparilla half marathon was not Garcia’s first rodeo. He has participated in multiple events, such as a triathlon, a reverse triathlon, and multiple marathons from three miles to 26. Garcia said he does not plan to stop running anytime soon.
From victories to running for a great cause, this year’s Gasparilla half marathon was a time for athletes to enjoy doing what they love and giving back to the community.
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Photos courtesy of Brooke Ginaitt.